Man jailed for role in attack on driver

A HANDYMAN who joined a boxer to attack a food delivery driver during a carjacking bid in Dundee has been sentenced to eight months in prison.

Thomas Thomson had the sentence backdated to the start of his period of remand in October and will be immediately freed as a result.

He was also banned from driving for 24 months after the court heard he drunkenly rammed into the delivery driver’s car, before co-accused Jason Paul launched an assault.

Thomson was also ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid work.

Sheriff Gregor Murray told Thomson at Dundee Sheriff Court: “If I take into account his lesser role and time spent on remand then he will be due for release.”

He told Thomson, via video link to prison: “Yours was very much the minor role in this episode. Your co-accused was involved in far more serious incidents.”

The court previously heard how Thomson and pro bareknuckle boxer Paul, 36, attacked their victim and rammed his delivery car, before coming to blows with each other.

Thomson, 44, from Dundee, admitted assault and driving while over the limit and disqualified, in Hazelhead Court, Dundee, on October 8 2023.

Solicitor Annika Jethwa, for handyman Thomson, said: “He does have a bad record.

“He tried to pull Mr Paul away from the vehicle and they started fighting one another.”

Fiscal depute Lee Corr told the court: “(The victim) saw Paul exit a van aggressively and then ask him why he was there.

“He advised he was delivering a takeaway and the accused said: ‘Go on then’.

“As he reached the gate he was punched on the side of the head by Paul, who then entered the driver’s side of the car.”

A passenger in the car tried to flee as the delivery driver attempted to pull Paul from the car. A member of the public contacted police.

Both accused got in the van and Thomson drove it forward, ramming into the rear of the car to shunt it into another parked car, causing £2,500 worth of damage.

Both assaulted the man and then started brawling with each other.

The court previously heard when police arrested ex-scaffolding boss Paul he subjected them to a torrent of abuse and spat in an officer’s eye.

He admitted assault and making violent threats and was placed on a curfew for 12 months and under supervision for three years when he was sentenced last month.