Anger as medical student jailed for love rival attack goes back to uni
Restaurateur dad says his son deserves 2nd chance
A high- flying medical student who was jailed in the US for a jealousy fuelled violent attack involving his girlfriend has been allowed back into a Scots university.
Tony Boyd, f rom Troon, Ayrshire, was sentenced to two 30- day prison sentences in Waukesha County jail in Wisconsin in 2018 for a violent attack on Stephen Mayer.
Boyd, 25, had suspected his victim of having an af fair with his Fife- born girlfriend Sophie Kelly and exploded in a jealous rage.
He had originally been charged with f iring a gun during the attack but prosecutors dropped the charges.
Glasgow University said it would launch an internal conduct probe after the case.
Boyd has now been allowed back on the medical course — and it’s claimed he’s doing NHS p l a c ement s w i t h vulnerable patients.
Fellow students have voiced anger about having a convicted criminal on the course.
One said: “Boyd is on the wards on placements. I’ve seen him at hospitals in Glasgow.
“It’s pretty shocking they have let him back in to see patients, and potentially be a doctor in the future, after what happened in America.”
Glasgow University and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde refused to say whether Boyd was back at his studies and in local hospitals.
But his dad said his son was glad to be back at his studies and putting his past behind him.
Troon restaurateur Lewis Boyd said: “He had that trouble in America but that’s all over with.
“He had three interviews to assess his suitability to get back on the course.
“He star ted back la s t September and is doing well in his final year.
“Everyone deserves a second chance and he’s working hard.”
But campaigners and politicians voiced surprise that Boyd has been allowed back on the course and criticised the lack of transparency.
Fiona Drouet, whose Aberdeen University student daughter Emily killed herself after being subjected to violence at the hands of her controlling boy f r iend
Angus
Mi l l igan, said she was concerned about the case. She said: “I believe in equal access opportunities but that needs to be weighed up against public protection. “Yes, his rights need to be taken into account, but the university has more duty of care to the rest of the students and patients than just him.” Scottish Tory shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said:
“Transparency is key here and unfortunately it’s badly lacking.
“No one’s saying Mr Boyd should be permanently ruled out of a career in medicine but clearly fellow students are concerned. There has to be more accountability when it comes to where this individual is working and who he’s dealing with.”
A spokesperson for Glasgow University said: “We cannot comment on individual cases as this would breach data protection laws.
“All medical students are subject to careful, professional scrutiny throughout their studies. Fitness to practise regulations are in place and these are applied rigorously.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde also said it could not comment specifically on Boyd.
The General Medical Council said medical students need to declare any convictions before starting as a working doctor.
Boyd was in Wisconsin to help his then girlfriend Sophie start a new life as a vet. The pair split after the attack and she is believed to still live in the US.