Thug jailed for brutal rail attack

A thug who attacked a man dressed in drag for a night out has been jailed for 23 months.

The 25-year-old victim suffered a broken ankle and was on crutches and off work for three months.

Kevin Reynolds, 57, of Netherwood Tower, Motherwell, was found guilty by a jury of assaulting the man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.

He was also convicted of making homophobic comments after his arrest.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard the victim was wearing a wig, yellow skirt, high heels and make up when he was attacked at Motherwell Train Station in May 2019.

He said he was on his way to a drag event in Glasgow when he accidentally bumped into a man he didn’t know.

He apologised, but was punched on the face and fell to the ground, breaking his ankle.

Passers-by rushed to his aid and an ambulance was called.

The victim spent three days in hospital where he had metal plates inserted in his shattered ankle. He has been left with scars.

Nearly two years on, he still gets“shooting pains”in his ankle.

The attack was captured on CCTV and the operator said he was“100 per cent sure”the attacker was Reynolds who was traced nearby.

Jennifer Mccabe, prosecuting, told the jury:“this attack was completely unprovoked.

“The victim was dressed in full drag outfit and I suggest, from what was recorded on the police station CCTV, the accused would not have liked that.

“We heard a stream of offensive remarks from him there.”

Reynolds admitted making bigoted comments in the police station, but insisted he wasn’t responsible for the assault.

His lawyer, Matthew Mcgovern, said the train station CCTV could not be relied on.

He told the jurors:“if the operator thinks that is good quality footage he should update his CCTV package.”

Passing sentence on Friday, Sheriff Alasdair Macfadyen told Reynolds:“this was an unprovoked assault on an entirely innocent individual.

“Having been arrested, you behaved disgracefully in the police station.

“You have a significant record and your flippant remarks to the social worker demonstrate a lack of remorse.”