A PENSIONER who is one of Scotland’s oldest knife attackers after she stabbed her husband of 50 years as he lay in bed avoided jail today.
Annie Hillen, 84, also tried to smother James Hillen, 81, with a pillow at their flat in Glasgow’s Thornwood on August 4 2022.
Hillen stated to police she was “disappointed” she had not killed him[/caption]
James was struck on the shoulder, but managed to disarm his wife before she came at him again with another blade.
Hillen later stated to police she was “disappointed” she had not killed him.
The pensioner had been due to stand trial accused of attempted murder.
But, instead Hillen pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of assaulting her husband to his injury and danger of life.
Judge Tom Hughes said at the High Court in Paisley: “I make it abundantly clear to you that you face an extremely serious charge.
“It is a charge which involved an attack on your husband.
“From the information available to me, this was something you thought about and planned then proceeded to carry out in an attempt to injure your husband.
“It is very fortunate he did not sustain far more serious injuries – not withstanding that what happened was serious.”
The judge remarked that Hillen had made progress in dealing with her alcohol and mental health issues.
He further stated that Hillen had not caused difficulties at the supported accommodation where she now resides.
Judge Hughes added: “When this court faces the situation of someone in your position of having a robust non-custodial option, this is the one the court must take.”
Hillen was put under supervision for three years and tagged her for one year, keeping her indoors between 7pm and 7am.
The court heard that the couple had lived together at their three-bedroom flat in the city’s west end.
Both had health issues – James had recently returned home at the time from a spell in hospital.
Hours before the attack, prosecutor Isabella Ennis KC said the pair had a “disagreement”.
James eventually retired to bed in the room he separately used.
Miss Ennis then stated, around midnight, Hillen went to her husband having collected a kitchen knife and a pillow en-route.
The advocate depute: “She approached him in his bed and stabbed his right shoulder while attempting to smother him.
“James Hillen took the pillow off his wife and the knife from his shoulder before he threw both away.
“She left the bedroom, but returned with a second kitchen knife which she again wielded at her husband.
“She succeeded only in scratching his left arm before he took this weapon and threw it away also.”
James managed to telephone their daughter for help and said Hillen had attacked him.
Hillen left the flat in her pyjamas and socks. She told a neighbour that she had stabbed her husband, but that he was still alive.
This person said he would call the police – Hillen stated “fine” and that she wanted taken away by them.
Miss Ennis: “On the way to the police station, Hillen was advised that her husband was unlikely to die as a consequence of the injuries.
“She expressed disappointment and regret that she had not succeeded in killing him.”
The court heard he fortunately only suffered a small wound to his shoulder area which he was treated for at hospital.
Hillen meantime was medically examined and had psychiatric assessment at the Rowanbank Clinic in Glasgow before being discharged.
She is currently subject to “strict” bail conditions at a residential care home.
The court heard James stated he “could not continue to reside” with Hillen.
Miss Ennis: “She considers that her marriage may, still yet, be saved and that she may return to her jointly owned property.”
However, an life-time non-harassment order was granted at the sentencing.
Tony Lenehan KC, defending, earlier told the hearing that his client regrets the offence and had “suffered in the relationship.”
The advocate added: “She is socially isolated and she has lost the relationship which they had for many years and was of value to her.”
A review of Hillen’s community payback order will take place at the High Court in Glasgow in October.
