Attack on drug user

A “vulnerable” Hamilton drug user was left with a fractured eye socket after a brutal attack by his supplier.

William Edwards, 26, was jailed for two years for what a sheriff branded “appalling” behaviour.

He admitted assaulting and robbing Connor Wilson last October and a separate attack on him in the town hours later.

Dylan Edwards, 22, a cousin of William, had his not guilty pleas to the charges accepted.

Mr Wilson, 25, told Hamilton Sheriff Court that he has learning difficulties and suffers from epilepsy.

He has had drug addictions and is on prescribed medicine.

He was at his mum’s house in Downfield Drive when he was attacked by William Edwards, who had arrived with his cousin.

Mr Wilson admitted he was “full of drugs” that day, having taken a mixture of heroin, cannabis and valium as well as his prescribed medication.

He told the court: “I opened the door and let them in. My mum and brother were in the house with me.

“I remember William Edwards pulling down my trousers and searching me for money.

“I owed them money. It was drugs money they were looking for.

“There was also a tub of valium and £10 worth of heroin. That’s what William took out of my pockets.

“Dylan was telling him not to.

“I also remember getting hurt down at the tunnel.”

William Edwards admitted searching through Mr Wilson’s pockets, partially taking off his clothing, threatening him and robbing him of cash and drugs.

He also admitted striking him on the head with an unknown weapon to his severe injury at an underpass between Swisscot Avenue and Lochgreen Place later.

Stephen Mcquillan, defending William Edwards, said he has been abusing substances since the age of 13.

Social workers warned he’s at a high risk of offending again, but Mr Mcquillan said despite this he could benefit from a community payback order.

The lawyer said: “While the court must consider the danger he poses to society, he has co-operated and he is remorseful.

“He has been wasting his life in recent years, but he wants an opportunity to show this behaviour will not be repeated.”

But Sheriff Marie Smart told Edwards: “This was appalling behaviour towards a clearly very vulnerable young man with significant learning difficulties.

“He suffered a fractured eye socket and at one point it was thought his nose had been broken.

“I consider alternative to sentence.” there is no a custodial