Dad stabbed to death on doorstep in front of his young children in Greenock

1 October 2019, 15:01

A man has been stabbed to death in his home in Greenock
A man has been stabbed to death in his home in Greenock. Picture: Police Scotland
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

A man has been stabbed to death in front of his young children in Greenock.

Christopher Nicol, 27, died last Thursday after a man knocked at the door with a knife in his right hand, ready to attack him in his flat.

Police were called to Maple Road, Greenock on Thursday evening, where they discovered the father of two with multiple stab wounds.

Mr Nicol died at the scene, and officers shortly after announced his death is being investigated as a murder.

Detective believe that robbery was the motive for the attack, and the suspect is described as white, around 5ft 10in tall with a slim build, between 20 to 30-years-old with short dark hair.

Police say he was wearing a black Timberland beanie hat, a black jumper and black jeans.

Detective Chief Inspector, Martin Fergus, said: “Christopher Nicol was in his flat in Maple Road around 9.05pm on Thursday night when he was violently attacked in front of his two young children aged five and six years. 

"At this time we believe that the motive for this was robbery and that Christopher was targeted specifically because his attacker thought there was a large sum of money in the house which was not the case.

"For whatever reason, to carry out such a brutal attack in front of such young children is absolutely sickening. It shows an absolute disregard for their safety or suffering. This callous killer must be caught.

"I believe that the answer to this murder lies in the local community and I am in no doubt that there are people out there who have vital information on this incident, who have not yet come forward."

Both children are receiving full support from police and partnering agencies.

Anyone with information can contact detectives from the Major Investigation Team via 101 quoting incident number 3888 of 26 September 2019