Man jailed for drill attack

A man who assaulted a 26-year-old with a power drill was jailed for four years and six months today.

Robert Kirkwood, 26, attacked James Hanlon with the tool in Stepps, North Lanarkshire, on August 22 last year.

The victim was forced out of the car he was a passenger in before Kirkwood hit him repeatedly on his head and body with the drill.

Kirkwood was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today after he admitted his guilt last month.

Judge Lady Dorrian imposed an extended sentence, meaning Kirkwood will be supervised for a further two years upon his release from jail.

Kirkwood pleaded guilty at the earlier hearing to a charge of assaulting

Mr Hanlon to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Pleas of not guilty by two other accused, Charles McCormack, 28, of Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire, and Michael McCormick, 22, from Garthamlock, Glasgow, were accepted.

The court heard that the car Mr Hanlon was travelling in was forced off the road in a collision with another vehicle in the Cumbernauld Road and Lowland Court area of Stepps.

Mr Hanlon was then forced out of the car before Kirkwood punched and kicked him, and struck him repeatedly with the power drill.

Paramedics found Mr Hanlon with bleeding head injuries. He is permanently scarred but is not thought to have suffered any lasting physical problems.