A Scots man who attacked his neighbour with a hammer and left him scarred for life has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. David McLaughlin, 38, assaulted John McLean, 55, after a dispute over a fence in their back garden in Glasgow.
The attack
The incident happened on July 23, 2023, around 9.30pm, when McLaughlin confronted McLean about the fence that separated their properties. McLaughlin claimed that McLean had damaged his fence and demanded compensation. McLean refused and told McLaughlin to leave him alone.
McLaughlin then grabbed a hammer from his shed and hit McLean on the head, causing a deep wound that required stitches. McLean managed to escape and call the police, who arrested McLaughlin at his home.
The trial
McLaughlin pleaded guilty to assaulting McLean to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement at Glasgow Sheriff Court on November 15, 2023. He admitted that he had acted in a fit of rage and regretted his actions.
Sheriff Paul Crozier said that McLaughlin had committed a “very serious offence” that had left McLean with physical and psychological scars. He said that McLaughlin had shown a “complete disregard for the law and the safety of others”.
He sentenced McLaughlin to 18 months in prison, reduced from two years due to his early plea. He also imposed a five-year non-harassment order, banning McLaughlin from contacting or approaching McLean.
The victim
McLean said that he was relieved that McLaughlin had been jailed and that he hoped to move on from the ordeal. He said that he had suffered from anxiety and nightmares since the attack and that he felt unsafe in his own home.
He said that he had known McLaughlin for 10 years and that they had never had any problems before. He said that he did not understand what had triggered McLaughlin’s violent behaviour and that he wished he had never met him.
He said that he was grateful for the support of his family and friends and that he hoped to recover from his injuries.
