Victim tried to defend himself with Irn-Bru bottle against thugs’ cleaver and machete
BY GRANT McCABE THREE thugs who brutally ambushed a man shortly after he left a McDonald’s restaurant have been jailed for nearly 18 years.
Allan King, 41, threw an Irn-Bru bottle at Christopher Dickson, 34, James Aird, 38, and Sean Henry, 31, to protect himself as they targeted him near his home in Cumbernauld in July 2018.
Aird was the driver of a stolen car which took them there. Dickson and Henry then jumped out and attacked delivery driver Allan with a machete and a meat cleaver.
A judge heard how the victim suffered multiple wounds with one to the leg being potentially fatal.
The trio yesterday admitted assaulting Allan to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment as well as to the danger of his life.
Lady Stacey jailed Dickson and Aird each for six years. Henry was sentenced to five years and nine months.
Henry, who latterly worked for a homeless charity, must first serve 1340 days from a previous prison term he was freed early from.
Five minutes after Allan left McDonald’s in Cumbernauld’s Tryst Road, he was tailed by the trio – close to shops near his home.
After getting out of his vehicle, Allan clocked Dickson and Henry, who were masked.
Prosecutor Greg Farrell told the High Court in Glasgow: “Seeing the males running, Mr King threw his bottle of Irn-Bru in their direction before attempting to make off.
“Dickson and Henry chased Mr King, who was aware they were striking him from behind. He was struck on the back of the leg, which gave way. Mr King observed both attacking him and striking him repeatedly with bladed weapons.”
The attackers then got into a car Aird was driving and they raced off.
An off-duty paramedic came to the aid of the blood-soaked victim. Allan had one wound which had gone to the bone in his back. He needed surgery, a blood transfusion and has been left scarred for life.
No background to the attack was given in court.
The trio were quizzed by police in February 2019 but made no comment before being charged.