Scots journalist writes book about acid attack

A Scottish investigative journalist who had sulphuric acid thrown in his face in an attack on his doorstep has written a book about the experience.

Russell Findlay, 45, was attacked after opening his door to a man disguised as a postman while his tenyear-old daughter slept upstairs just before Christmas in 2015.

The crime writer overpowered William Burns with the help of neighbours and his attacker was arrested at the scene.

Burns, 57, was jailed for ten years and five years on licence in July, 2017, after being found guilty of assault to severe injury and danger of life following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. He had denied the assault. Mr Findlay also reveals Burns was on early release from a 15-year sentence for the second time when the attack happened in Glasgow in December 2015.

The Parole Board for Scotland said that it does not com- ment on individual cases.

In his book

Mr Findlay describes his investigation into who was behind the incident.

The freelance writer, who was investigations editor of the Scottish Sun at the time, names the man who he believes ordered the attack to be carried out.

He also writes of his frustration that the man has never been brought to justice, though he says he has passed the information to police and prosecutors.

He said: “I’ve got no quarrel with the police officers who dealt with the case.

“But I think someone somewhere made the decision that was as far as they were going to take it.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “A full investigation was carried out which resulted in the conviction of William Burns last year for assault.”

Mr Findlay was left fearing for the sight of his right eye following the attack but has since made a full recovery and said: “I’m not going to go away.”