Man jailed after attacking teenage girl and homeless man in Airdrie

A thug who was caught on CCTV brutally attacking a man and a teenage girl at the door of a McDonald's restaurant was today jailed for 45 months.

Stephen Thomson, 28, initially punched, kicked and stamped on Dean Bryson in an assault described as "relentless".

As Mr Bryson lay stricken, Thomson then joined in the attack of a 15 year-old schoolgirl outside the McDonald's in Airdrie, Lanarkshire in August 2018.

He booted her on the head while she was on the ground.

At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lady Stacey who was shown the horrific CCTV footage, told Thomson: “What happened that day was very difficult to watch. It was dangerous and it is fortunate the injuries weren't more serious.”

Thomson pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Bryson to his severe injury and danger of life.

He further admitted attacking the teenager to her injury.

Thomson's then lover Shelby Bowrman, 21, and a 17 year-old girl - who cannot be named for legal reasons - also pleaded guilty to assaulting the 15 year-old.

Their actions were described by Lady Stacey as "disgraceful.” she placed Bowrman, a mother-of-four on a one year supervised community payback order and deferred sentence on the 17-year-old until November 30 for good behaviour.

The court heard there had been an earlier incident involving a Vauxhall Corsa Bowrman was driving.

In the early hours, Mr Bryson and the 15 year-old girl spotted the car following them and tried to get into the McDonald's, but the doors were shut.

Thomson, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, then raced out the car and pounced on Mr Bryson.

Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said: "The attack was relentless as he is seen pulling Dean Bryson by the T-shirt, removing it, punching him and stamping on his head.

"He also kicked him to the face and body."

The assault continued as a now unconscious Mr Bryson was on the ground. A second mystery man also hit the victim.

The 15 year-old was meantime set upon by Bowrman, the 17 year-old and another young woman.

Bowrman, also of Motherwell, stamped on her while she was also punched, kicked and had her hair extensions ripped out by the gang.

Thomson then stormed up and kicked her before dragging the teenager along the ground.

The attackers fled as someone yelled: "The pigs will be here in two minutes."

The court heard Mr Bryson suffered bruising and swelling to his face.

Ms Dalziel: "Given the level of violence, it is somewhat fortuitous that this was the level of injuries he sustained."

The 15 year-old girl had a black eye and a large bruise on her leg.

The trio were later held by police. The 17 year-old was overhead by police telling her mum that she had "smashed" the teenage girl.

Defence counsel for all three said they were ashamed of their behaviour.

Rhonda Anderson, representing Thomson, said: “He told me he was sickened when he viewed the CCTV footage of what he had done.”

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