Court attack
The cousin of a Rutherglen woman who was killed last year has been jailed for three years and four months after attacking the man accused of her murder in court.
Twenty-eight-year-old John Quinn leapt from the witness box to launch an attack on Craig Simpson.
The cousin of a Rutherglen woman who was killed last year has been jailed for three years and four months after attacking the man accused of her murder in court.
Twenty-eight-year-old John Quinn, who also threatened another witness, leapt from the witness box to launch an attack on Craig Simpson
He claimed that he lost his temper after Mr Simpson smirked at him.
Simpson was standing trial for the murder of Margaret Quinn who was found dead in June last year at a party in Cathkin. He was also charged with attempting to murder John Quinn but was eventually cleared.
Quinn punched and kicked Mr Simpson and stamped on his head as he sat flanked by two G4S officers. It took four police officers to restrain him.
Earlier that day he had threatened Mr Simpson’s partner Debbi Clark in a court corridor, telling her: ““Ya wee f***in daftie, wait till we get outside, you’re f***ing getting it.”
Quinn than added: “You’re f***in lucky, wait till I see you outside.”
Advocate depute Bernard Ablett, prosecuting, said: “Craig Simpson faced an allegation that he had murdered John Quinn’s cousin, Margaret Quinn, and a second allegation that he had attempted to murder Mr Quinn.”
“As he walked towards the witness box Mr Quinn glared at Craig Simpson who was sitting in the dock. He entered the witness box and Judge Nigel Morrison, administered the oath and then warned Mr Quinn about incriminating himself.
“The accused then placed his jacket down behind him, ran from the witness box, hurdled over the front of the dock and assaulted Craig Simpson, repeatedly punching him on the head and kicking and stamping on his lower body.
“The two G4S officers on either side of Craig Simpson were unable to prevent the accused’s attack.
“They, and four police officers restrained the accused, who was escorted to the cell area.”
Mr Simpson suffered a graze on the top of his head, a graze on the bridge of his nose and swelling to his forehead.
The High Court in Glasgow was told that after Quinn’s attack on Mr Simpson the trial had to be abandoned and restarted the next day with a different jury.
The murder and attempted murder charges against Mr Simpson were found to be not proven.
On Monday at the High Court in Glasgow judge Lady Rae told Quinn: “You have pleaded guilty to two serious charges during a murder trial.
“You threatened a female witness who had just given evidence, you then entered the courtroom left the witness box and assaulted the accused in full view of the judge and jury. It took four police officers to restrain you.
“You can’t take the law into your own hands.”
Solicitor advocate Ann Ogg, defending, said: “This was the first time he had seen Mr Simpson since the alleged murder.
“He looked over towards the dock and Mr Simpson smirked at him. “It was like a red rag to a bull.” Margaret, a mother-of-four, died after being stabbed in a house on Skye Road.
A Cambuslang man has been accused of assaulting another at a prison and later biting a police officer.
Thomas Talent denies punching the man on his head, seizing him on the body and pulling him to the ground at HMP Barlinnie on March 5, 2016.
Talent of Helmsdale Court, is said to have bitten a police constable on the body, shouted, swore and uttered threats of violence towards officers at East Kilbride Police Office on June 11, 2016.
The 26 year old was also charged with having diazepam, a class C drug, and diamorphine, class A, on his possession with intent to supply on Hamilton Road, Cambuslang on the same day.
Talent pleaded not guilty to the charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday, July 5 and will reappear at an intermediate diet tomorrow, Thursday, July 14.