Scottish Catholic Observer

A teacher at a Catholic secondary school in Coatbridge has been stabbed after confronting three men who were attempting to steal his neighbour’s car.

The attack on 57-year-old Ian Howson, part-time chemistry teacher at St Ambrose High School, took place at around 05:40 on Monday in the Blairhill area of Coatbridge.

He was treated for his injuries at Monklands Hospital (above) before being released this morning.

On hearing noises outside yesterday morning, Mr Howson’s wife went to investigate and saw three white men acting suspiciously at their neighbour’s car.

Mr Howson went outside and confronted the men who turned on him and stabbed him before making off on foot along Lefroy Street, where the Howsons stay, and into Mount Vernon Avenue.

The first suspect is described as between 20 and 22 years old, around 5ft 8in tall, with dirty fair hair and broad shoulders. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt. The second suspect is described as between 18 and 20 years old, about 5ft 6in tall, with fair hair and of a thin build. The third suspect is described as between 5ft 4in and 5ft 6in tall, well-built and with short dark hair. He was wearing dark clothing.

Strathclyde Police are treating the attack as attempted murder and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

“There were three of the suspects against just one man—it really does beggar belief that he was attacked so viciously for just trying to defend property,” Detective Inspector Bob Frew, who is leading the investigation, said.