Glasgow friends abducted couple and held them at knifepoint over property dispute
Two friends brutally abducted a couple in their own home amid a dispute over property.
David Wilson, 41, and Helen Rae, 45, pounced on Alana Michie and Paul Brown at their flat in Glasgow's Drumchapel on April 19, 2024. Wilson and Rae, of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, entered the pair's home while they were out.
On their return, Miss Michie had her wrists tied with shoelaces while Mr Brown had a knife ran down his face. Mr Brown was also told that he was going to be put in a boot then dumped in the River Clyde.
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Wilson and Rae were due to stand trial today but instead pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to abducting Miss Michie and Mr Brown. The court heard that Wilson and Rae were long time friends who knew their victims from living in the local area.
It was stated that there had been an ongoing feud over property. Miss Michie and Mr Brown returned home on the day of the incident to find Wilson and Rae inside in possession of weapons.
The two victims were ushered into the living room and instructed to sit on the sofas. Prosecutor Lauren Aitchison said: "Rae slashed Miss Michie's jacket she was wearing using nail scissors.
"Her hands were then tied using shoelaces. Wilson meantime brushed a blade down the cheek of Mr Brown saying he was going to slash him."
Rae also punched Mr Brown to his head and body before Wilson struck him with a mug which caused a bleeding injury. Miss Aitchison said: "Wilson stated that he would take Mr Brown away to the boot of a car and throw him in the River Clyde.
"Rae told Mr Brown to give Miss Michie a kiss as he will never see him again."
Wilson led Mr Brown outside at knife point leaving the two women inside the property. Mr Brown was able to escape after Wilson went onto his mobile phone.
The victim approached a member of the public for help and contacted the police. Officers later found the two women in the property and Rae was arrested.
She later claimed: "I didn't do it."
Wilson was unable to be traced initially and he later handed himself in to a police station two days later. Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Andrew McIntyre.
He said: "This charge is extremely serious and I am satisfied that the charge is so serious that you [Rae] present a risk to public safety and I remand you in custody."
Wilson - who appeared at court from custody - stuck his tongue out to jurors who watched proceedings.
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