Gang admit attacking off-duty police officer

A court’s heard how a gang attacked an off-duty police officer and left him for dead- after he accidentally bumped into one of them in his car.

The group aged between 14 and 20 - turned on Stuart Rochford at Blantyre train station in Lanarkshire last March 30.

Mr Rochford was punched, kicked, hit with glass bottles and bludgeoned with rocks and stones before being left for dead.

Two of the assailants were subject to a combined 20 bails order at time and also on curfews to keep them at home at night.

A judge heard how the officer has been left so badly affected he has to give up frontline policing after 19 years in the force.

Lauren Neary, now 18, and Robert Faulds, 20, pled guilty to an attempted murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow.

Alec Fallon, 19, and a now 16 year-old boy - who cannot be identified due to his age - admitted assaulting Mr Rochford to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment as well as to the danger of his life.

All four were remanded by Lord Arthurson pending sentencing next month.

They got off at Blantyre around 9pm the same time Mr Rochford drove into the station.

Prosecutor Kath Harper KC said the gang "made no effort" to get out of the way of his car and he "clipped" one of them with his wing-mirror at low speed.

Mr Rochford dropped off his daughter then went to check on one of the group he had bumped into.

Miss Harper: "The group became aggressive and surrounded the car.

"Mr Rochford got out and attempted to speak with them.

"However, he was punched in the face. He managed to get back into his vehicle as the group began to kick and punch the car from all sides."

The off-duty officer was left "fearing for his own safety".

He briefly stopped 100 yards away to fix his wing mirror as three of the gang ran at him armed with bottles and a plank of wood.

Mr Rochford attempted to escape to the home of a friend who lived near the station.

At one stage, he tried to calm the gang, but he was chased into the driveway of his friend's home.

He was initially punched again. Fallon then shoved the victim to the ground before repeatedly kicking him.

Faulds walked up and smacked Mr Rochford on the head with a glass bottle.

Mr Rochford tried to defend himself and also get to the front door of the property.

The 16 year-old attacker - then 14 - went on to smash such a weapon over the man's head which saw the victim "slow down, appear dazed and stagger around".

Miss Harper: "He was again surrounded and the assault continued - pushing, punching and kicking him as well as hitting him with rocks, stones and bottles."

"A teenager, Neary and Faulds and an unknown female lifted rocks and boulders throwing them at Mr Rochford."

The court heard the victim "could not escape". Faulds then threw a rock which hit the victim's head.

The hearing was told he "appeared completely defenceless and dazed".

Neary was heard boasting: "I think I have just killed him. I am not going to lie."

Mr Rochford managed to get to feet to alert a resident to get him help.

He was rushed to hospital suffering from a string of injuries.

Mr Rochford needed a three-hour operation to rebuild his nose after part of it was "caved in". A metal plate was also inserted into his face.

He required more than 30 stitches for a number of wounds.

The court heard how badly affected he remains after his ordeal.

His injuries have left him scarred for life and he has no feeling on part of the left side of his face, below his right eye and his top lip.

Miss Harper: "He now cannot operate as a respond police officer or public order officer.

"He has been advised by his superiors and doctors that he should never return to a front-line job as he cannot risk injury because of the metal plate in his face.

"He continues to suffer from head rushes, dizziness and extreme fatigue."

The attackers were all arrested in early April 2024.

When quizzed by police, Neary moaned: "My pal got smacked with a motor."

The now 16 year-old assailant meantime stated: "I only hit him because he knocked out my pal."

The court heard Fallon, of no fixed abode, already had 18 previous convictions. for dishonesty, assault and breach of the peace.

He was subject to nine different bail orders at the time - the last imposed at Paisley Sheriff Court just 11 days before the attack.

He had also been told to stay indoors between 7pm and 7am each night as part of the restrictions.

Faulds, latterly of Paisley, Renfrewshire, breached 10 bail orders and was also on a curfew.

Neary, of Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, had four previous convictions with the 16 year-old bailed by a sheriff three days before the assault.

Lord Arthurson deferred sentencing for reports.