Thug’s baton attack on Bonzo pensioner after grenade threat
Sutherland caged for four years over assault
A thug attacked Steven “Bonzo” Daniel’s motherin-law after being told rivals planned to throw a grenade through his letter box. Michael Sutherland went on the rampage when informers revealed the gang threat against his family. The 34-year- old went to Janette Connell’s home with two henchmen to confront a member of the Daniel crime family, who can’t be named for legal reasons, after being told of the plot. He hit Janette, 69, over the head with a baton after failing to find the man. Police visited the victim in hospital after crime clan queen Annette Daniel called them.
The pensioner told officers she didn’t want to press charges amid fears of retribution.
But detectives were able to build a case against Sutherland – a known associate of the Lyons organised crime group – and co-accused Ian Donnelly, 23, after examining CCTV footage and pinpointing their mobile phones in the area.
Sources say senior members of the gang – led by Steven Lyons – were furious with Sutherland over the assault and warned the Daniels against taking revenge on their families.
An insider said: “Sutherland went nuts when he was told a hand grenade was going to be pushed through his letter box.
“He lives with his partner and children who are still very young. Someone told him the guy who was planning to do it was at Janette’s house and he went there looking for him.
“He lost the plot and hit her as he was about to leave.”
The source added: “Key f igures within the Lyons at first said they had nothing to do with the attack.
“They were furious when they found out Sutherland did it. They then got word to the Daniels there would be more attacks if they tried to take revenge on any of their relatives.”
Sutherland was jailed for four years at the High Court in Glasgow after he admitted the attack in Glasgow’s Milton in January.
Donnelly was jailed for 16 months. A third man, James Quinn, 21, had his not guilty plea accepted.
Quinn is a former associate of the Daniel crime family but switched allegiance to the Lyons clan last year.