IT expert faces lengthy jail term for attempted murder

Paul St Pierre, 30, was behind bars today, despite claiming others had been responsible for the city centre attack, which left his victim seriously injured.

Gardener Steven Ferry was kicked, punched and thrown against a window before being attacked again on South Bridge almost two years ago after both men had attended a performance by a star DJ.

The court was told that 23-year-old Mr Ferry continues to suffer from problems with his memory and irritability.

The men were known to each other, but were not friends, and had both spent the evening at an appearance by former Radio One DJ Eddie Halliwell at City Nightclub in Market Street on November 28, 2010.

St Pierre, of Lawers Square, Penicuik, Midlothian, denied the charges against him, but was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday.

The IT specialist claimed he was heading home after the performance when someone ran into him, knocking him to the ground in the snow.

He said he chased the man, only to remonstrate with him, and saw it was Mr Ferry.

St Pierre insisted someone else grabbed Mr Ferry and pulled him into a bus shelter on South Bridge, where the attack began.

His claimed his own efforts to stop the fight were unsuccessful and he was told “to mind his own business”.

But a jury rejected his version of events and found him  guilty of attempted murder by majority.

They heard how Mr Ferry was repeatedly punched and kicked, thrown against a window, then punched and kicked again as he lay on the ground.

Judge Lord Pentland said he would pay particular attention to Mr Ferry’s account of his injuries and problems – which he was told of after the verdict was delivered – and warned St Pierre he faced a long spell in prison. The judge called for background reports and remanded him in custody pending sentence.