Scarred for life by Scotland's most dangerous teen

Published on Monday 8 September 2008 10:14

THE latest victim of Scotland's most dangerous teenager has spoken about the attack that left him scarred for life.

Restalrig teenager Ryan Gandy was left with a seven-inch scar across his face after the notorious Darren Cornelius slashed him with a makeshift weapon.

Now Mr Gandy, 19, has told of his trauma following the assault, and he claims he has been left on the unemployment scrapheap because of his facial disfigurement.

Cornelius, 18, was in Saughton Jail for stabbing Daniel Sweeney, having already been in the public eye for a frenzied attack on a nine-year-old girl seven years before.

As a statement of intent in prison, he singled out Gandy with a razor taped to a pen and ran it deep into his face, from his ear to his mouth.

Gandy recalled: "I was standing playing table tennis, minding my own business, when he just stepped up from behind me and slashed me.

"He then really calmly just walked away as if nothing had happened. I was totally stunned.

"Later on he said he wanted to show he wasn't going to get bullied, but up until then I'd never even spoken to him, let alone bullied him.

"He was really quiet and never said much. It came from nowhere, although he's obviously known for using knives.

"I wouldn't say he was feared or I was scared of him, but he was known for what he'd done."

As soon as the incident took place last July, prison guards flocked to the scene and herded everyone back to their cells.

Gandy was rushed to hospital, but had to wait three days for the wound to be stitched up, as hospitals were busy.

"Maybe if I'd got treated sooner the scar wouldn't be as bad," he said. "It had been reported it was three inches long, but it's more than double that.

"I've tried to get a job in retail on Princes Street, but haven't been successful, because no-one wants a face like this standing in the shop greeting customers."

Cornelius – who grew up in Longstone and Gorgie – was given an extra four years for the attack on Mr Gandy.

He will now remain in custody until such time that he is deemed to no longer pose a threat to the public.

However, last month, his first victim, Kitrina McKenzie – now aged 17 – said he did not deserve to live.

She thinks that if he were released, it would only be a matter of time before he killed someone.