Asda worker bottled by Countdown champion in store

A former Countdown champion travelled to Scotland and attacked a teenager who criticised his online book, a court heard.
Countdown champion Richard Brittain went all the way to Glenrothes just to bottle a teenage girl who criticised his book online.Countdown champion Richard Brittain went all the way to Glenrothes just to bottle a teenage girl who criticised his book online.
Countdown champion Richard Brittain went all the way to Glenrothes just to bottle a teenage girl who criticised his book online.

Richard Brittain made his way from England to Glenrothes in Fife and used Facebook to track victim Paige Rolland, 18, at her work.

The 28-year-old arrived at the Asda store where she worked and attacked her with a wine bottle to the head from behind - knocking her out.

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Only a month before Brittain - crowned a Countdown champion in 2006 - stalked a university classmate, Ella Durant, who moved from London to Glasgow.

The worker was attacked with a wine bottleThe worker was attacked with a wine bottle
The worker was attacked with a wine bottle

On Monday at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Brittain, whose address was given as Palgrave, Bedford, pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of conduct which caused Miss Durant fear or alarm by repeatedly pursuing her, approaching her, following her and publishing a story about stalking her in September 2014.

He also admitted assaulting Miss Rolland with a bottle to her severe injury on October 3, 2014 at Asda in Glenrothes.

The court heard Brittain uploaded part of a published book of his onto a website where people can read and critique literature written by others.

Miss Rolland read the excerpt of Brittian’s book and left negative comments about it.

Sheriff Martin Jones QC deferred sentence until a later date for reports and a motion for bail was refused.