Man claims he was left writhing in agony after crowbar attack

A Paisley man told court he was left in pain from head to toe after allegedly being battered with a crowbar by a gang in the town.

Andrew Murray is alleged to have been attacked by Ryan Lowe and a number of others with the weapon.

It’s claimed Murray, 36, was attacked in Blythswood Drive, Paisley, last year.

Lowe, 31, of Springbank Road, Paisley, went on trial yesterday accused of being part of a gang that carried out a crowbar attack on Mr Murray.

Prosecutors claim that, on October 21 last year, at a property in the street, Lowe “whilst acting with others” attacked Mr Murray.

The charge against Lowe states that he demanded Mr Murray give him money, grabbed him, rained blows on his head and body with a crowbar and repeatedly punched him on the head and body in an attempt to rob him.

Giving evidence about the alleged attack, Mr Murray said he was left with a bad gash to his leg, which has left a scar and was bleeding badly after he was dragged from his house where he fell down a flight of stairs.

Murry told the court : “I was basically in agony – I was sore all over.

“My leg was sore, my back was sore, my head was sore.”

He denied claims from Lowe’s lawyer that he was making up what happened on the night in question.

He said: “That statement is false, 100 per cent, without a shadow of a doubt.”

And, when asked why the only injury police officers noted him having was a graze on his head, he replied: “Maybe the police noticed a graze on my head that I never noticed.”

The court also heard from a police officer that Lowe had admitted using the crowbar on his alleged victim.

The jury was told that, while in a police car on the way to Greenock police station, Lowe said: “I only went up to see him about a PlayStation pad and he had a crowbar, so I restrained him with the crowbar.”

The jury also heard he was interviewed in relation to the alleged attack, after being reminded he did not have to say anything or answer any questions, and “spoke freely” with the officers.

Lowe maintains his innocence and the trial, before Sheriff David Pender, continues.

Andrew Murray