AYESHA’S STORY

FOR Ayesha Innes, her shift at Gladstones on Hogmanay 2016 was just a normal night – people having a good time celebrating.

But while her customers were enjoying the festivities, a gang of teenagers went on a violent rampage through the city that would culminate in the mother of one witnessing a man’s death.

Before Shaun Woodburn was killed, the 33-year-old was a young, outgoing mum who enjoyed her job.

But that fateful night has left its mark. More than a year later, she’s unable to work, anxious, fearful and can’t handle crowds.

She said: “I only knew Shaun because he would come into the pub. He was a lovely guy, always smiling. We’d chat and have a laugh.

“Just before the trouble started, we were chatting at the bar. He was having a good time and enjoying himself.

“Stephen (Swanson) came in and said, ‘Everybody outside’, and we could tell by his tone something was very wrong.”

Instinct kicked in for Ayesha and she hit record on her phone.

She said: “I just knew things were going bad. Shaun and I walked out together. We stayed back but we were getting edged forward. I kept saying, ‘Get back, Shaun’, and then he walked into it.

“There was so much happening. I stayed back and next thing I heard a loud bang and saw Shaun lying on the ground. I screamed. I phoned 999 and ran inside the pub.”

Ayesha, who was praised for her clear recollection of the night in court, said it angered her when she heard the defence claim that racism was a factor in the fight.

She said: “There were no racist comments. Shaun didn’t deserve what happened to him. I don’t believe he waded into that fight, I think he ended up in the scuffle and somebody picked on him.

“Everyone needs to realise the truth of what happened that night and the effect it’s had on many people. Life hasn’t been the same since. That group have destroyed a lot of lives.”