Minister’s father, 63, fought off hammer raid thug
Humza Yousaf parents’ ordeal during break-in
THE father of Transport Minister Humza Yousaf was punched in the head after fighting off a hammer-wielding attacker in his home, a court has heard.
Muzaffar Yousaf suffered facial injuries after grappling with thug Anthony Cashmore, 36, in his hallway.
Despite his ordeal the 63-year-old businessman managed to chase off his attacker, Paisley Sheriff Court has heard.
After raising the alarm, Mr Yousaf was taken to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and later released.
During the raid, his Jaguar car was taken from the driveway at his four-bedroom house in Newton Mearns, Renfrewshire, by a second man, Stephen Dailly, 42. He led police in a car chase before crashing and running off. He was arrested a short time later.
Mr Yousaf and wife Shaaista were said to have been ‘left shaken’ by the attack at 7.30am on February 2.
Procurator fiscal depute Pamela Brady told the court on Thursday: ‘He had left his car keys on a unit near the unlocked front door.
‘Mr Yousaf and his wife then commenced morning prayers for a short time and he made his way back in to the hallway. He saw a male standing in the hallway near the open front door and initially thought the male was his son but quickly realised it was a stranger.
‘He approached the male to challenge him and the male – later identified as Anthony Cashmore – raised a hammer high above his head. Mr Yousaf grabbed the male’s wrist and struggled with him. He noticed his car keys were gone and became aware of another male outside in the garden.
‘He was continuing to struggle with Anthony Cashmore, who still had the hammer.
‘The struggle continued out in to the garden and Mr Yousaf was punched approximately three times by Mr Cashmore and fell to the ground. He then went back in to the house and locked the door.’ The court was told Dailly – who was later found to be in possession of a knife with a six-inch blade – had jumped into Mr Yousaf ’s car and Cashmore drove off in a vehicle stolen earlier from Dailly’s brother.
Mrs Brady added police had quickly spotted Mr Yousaf’s car being driven erratically on a nearby road. She said: ‘The vehicle was being driven at excessive speeds and tried undertaking a vehicle, and collided with it.
‘Both vehicles were damaged and went into contact with the kerb. The driver pulled in and allowed the police to pass.
‘They continued their pursuit of Stephen Dailly in the stolen car, which came into contact with the kerb and the tyre burst.’
Property stolen by the men was later discovered at Cashmore’s home in Newton Mearns.
Cashmore – who has 51 previous convictions and has been locked up 28 times – including a 54-month sentence at the High Court for assault and robbery with a knife – admitted assaulting Mr Yousaf by brandishing a hammer at him and by punching him in the head, and also taking his Jaguar.
Dailly, from Neilston, Renfrewshire, admitted stealing his brother’s car and Mr Yousaf’s vehicle, driving dangerously whilst disqualified, being in possession of a knife and stealing a variety of goods, including cash.
Sheriff David Pender called for background reports and adjourned the case until next month. The men were remanded in custody.