Man jailed for headbutting lawyer outside Glasgow Sheriff Court

A man who headbutted a lawyer outside Glasgow Sheriff Court has been jailed for nine months.

Thirty-one year-old Ernest Findlay attacked Nigel Scullion on the 18th August after following him outside the building.

Findlay had initially followed Mr Scullion after he left the court building at the end of the day.

The attacker told the lawyer "I'm going to do you" before he pounced on him.

Mr Scullion - a defence lawyer at firm Road Traffic Defence - bravely defended himself until police officers arrived.

The incident took place two years after Findlay was caged for 27 months for attacking his then partner.

The woman was forced to flee to a balcony for help after Findlay punched her to the head and body.

Findlay pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to his latest charge of assaulting Mr Scullion.

He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

The court heard that Mr Scullion left court at 6.30pm and walked down nearby Oxford Street.

Prosecutor Sophie Rook said: "Mr Scullion saw Findlay there and he was topless.

"He thought Findlay was following him so walked around cars to see if he was.

"Mr Scullion confirmed that Findlay was following him."

The lawyer went into the nearby Salvation Army to see if Findlay resided there.

As Mr Scullion left, Findlay stated: "I'm going to do you."

Miss Rook said: "Findlay headbutted him to the temple.

"Mr Scullion threw his bag at him to get him off him, however, he continued to come towards him.

"Mr Scullion thereafter pushed Findlay to the ground to defend himself."

Findlay continued to shout and swear at Mr Scullion.

The matter was reported to court security staff and police attended.

Findlay was noted to have blood to his face, hand and nose before he was arrested.

It was stated that Mr Scullion was uninjured from the attack.

Mark Dunbar, defending, told the sentencing that his client was never represented by Mr Scullion but knew of him.

Sheriff Allan Mckay asked the lawyer: "He did this for no apparent reason?"

Mr Dunbar replied: "Yes."

Sheriff Mckay told Findlay that he had "little option" on how to deal with him.

He said: "I can't have officers of this court fearing for their safety - I have to protect them, members of the public and others who work here. This is a serious mater."

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