Gay men attacked in Glasgow in front of police

A MAN and a teenager attacked a couple on their way home from a night out because they were gay, a court has heard.

The two pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Picture: John Devlin

Calvin McLelland, 20, called Dillon Jeffreys a “faggot” before punching him to the ground on McNeil Street, Glasgow. When Connor Sullivan stepped in to help his partner, McLelland then punched him and he also fell to the ground.

McLelland and 16-year-old James Knots then continued the attack on Mr Jeffreys while he was down, kicking him on the head and body.

Nearby police in plain clothes saw the attack and the pair ran off but were later caught.

The two victims were taken to hospital and Mr Jeffreys was found to have a cut to the back of his head and a fractured skull.

McLelland, from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, and Knots from the Gorbals, Glasgow, pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Mr Jeffreys to his severe injury on 17 August 2013, aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation.

Apprentice bricklayer McLelland also admitted assaulting Mr Sullivan to his injury and that it was also aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation.

The court heard Mr Jeffreys, 25, and Mr Sullivan, 19, were partners and had been socialising in Glasgow city centre on 16 August 2013.

Just after midnight they made their way home through the Gorbals where they saw a group of youths, including the two accused.

Procurator-fiscal depute Mark Allan said: “Dillon Jeffrey was asked by a member of the group ‘Are you gay?’ to which he replied ‘Yes’.

“Connor Sullivan was then asked ‘Are you gay?’ to which he replied ‘Yes’. Connor Sullivan then heard the word ‘faggot’ being used as Calvin McLelland approached and thereafter punched Dillon Jeffrey, knocking him to the ground.”

The court heard Mr Sullivan intervened before being punched by McLelland and sent to the ground.

Mr Allan added: “Thereafter James Knots and McLelland were involved in an assault when Dillon Jeffreys was on the ground.”

They repeatedly kicked him on the head and body – all of which was seen by two police officers in plain clothes who were dealing with another incident.

When McLelland and Knots spotted the police they ran off and an ambulance was called for the two victims.

At Victoria Infirmary, Mr Jeffreys had a cut on the back of his head treated with two stitches.

He continued to feel sick and dizzy which was investigated and found to be caused by a skull fracture. The following day he was sent home with medication.

Mr Sullivan suffered bruising as a result of the attack on him.

McLelland was found at his home address the next day and Knots the following month.

Defence lawyer Laura Anne Radcliffe, representing McLelland, said her client had a “hazy” recollection of events.

Neil Kilcoyne, defending Knots, said his client also has a “hazy” recollection.

Sheriff Sam Cathcart deferred sentence until next month and continued bail for both accused.