Knife horror victim slams soft sentence

Jun 19 2008 by Gary Fanning

A GOOD Samaritan slashed in a brutal and unprovoked attack this week called for tougher sentences for knife thugs.

Andrew Sludden was left battered and scarred for life after going to help an OAP who was being harassed in Hamilton’s Kemp Street by a gang of vicious yobs.

The 30-year-old binman slammed the lenient sentence given to his attackers.

Michael Drummond (17), of Kerr Crescent, last week was sentenced for 40 months in a young offenders’ institution, and co-accused William Murray (33), of Arbroath Grove, was given 20 months’ jail for the attack last year.

Drummond slashed Andrew with a knife, leaving him with a six-inch scar on his face before robbing him of a backpack containing his wallet and gym clothes.

Murray, who had a lengthy criminal record that included crimes of dishonesty and a previous conviction of assault, punched Andrew to the ground then savagely punched and kicked him as he lay on the ground before Drummond launched the frenzied knife attack.

Andrew, a former pupil at Hamilton Grammar and St John’s Primary, described his attackers’ sentence as “shocking” and “disgusting”.

He sent a letter to the procurator fiscal in Hamilton complaining about the lenient sentence.

Andrew told the Advertiser: “I am disappointed at the lenient punishment handed down to my attackers.

“In my opinion to be sentenced to 40 months for the brutal and unprovoked attack on me doesn’t adequately reflect the severity of the crime.

“The likelihood is that he will be freed in 20 months for ‘good behaviour’ which does not appear to be an appropriate time for rehabilitation and for him to truly understand the consequence of his actions.

“On passing sentence, the sheriff stated that his young age and the fact that he had pleaded guilty saved court time and expense of a trial , and had influenced his decision.

“While I appreciate the pressure that the courts are under, I feel it is appalling that these factors are the main consideration in determining the outcome... and not the punishment that fits the crime.

“I have lost faith in the British justice system and would advise other Good Samaritans to think before getting involved in future.”

Reliving his horror ordeal, Andrew said: “I was coming home from the gym and popped into a pub for a cheeseburger.

“I left and was along the road when I saw four of them asking this old man for money.

“I said ‘leave him alone’, and all I can remember is that they then set about me.”

Andrew needed 26 stitches after Drummond, who was 16 at the time, slashed him from the ear to the chin. A few other stitches were inserted into his head, his eyelid and his arm.

He said that the attack has affected his confidence and he won’t walk in the street alone at night.

Andrew added: “A year has now passed yet I am still suffering the after-effects of what happened – and I’m left with a permanent reminder in the shape of a six-inch scar from my chin to ear.

“I am scarred for life and have to deal with it.

“When I am talking to girls in the Palace they asked me if I am some sort of fly guy because of the scars.

“They are given the completely wrong impression of me.

“I won’t walk on my own, especially at night, and try to get taxis everywhere.

Andrew said that he almost lost his job with South Lanarkshire Council following the attack.

He added: “I was off for a few weeks recovering from the attack. The council disciplined me while I was off work.

“If you get four disciplines then you are shown the door.

“I will always have this discipline on my record.”