Man in court over acid attack on Scottish Sun’s Russell Findlay

Scottish Sun journalist Russell Findlay was attacked on Wednesday

A man has appeared in court charged with throwing acid in the face of a journalist from the Scottish Sun newspaper.

Crime reporter Russell Findlay was attacked at the front door of his home in Glasgow on Wednesday, 23 December.

William Burns, from Paisley, appeared in private at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday. The 54-year-old was charged with assault. He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody until next week.

Papers from Glasgow Sheriff Court claim Burns did “pretend to him that he had a postal delivery for him, induce him to open his front door, throw sulphuric acid or similar substance over his face”.

It is also alleged Burns threw a glass jar, struggled with Mr Findlay and spat in his face – all to his severe injury. Burns made no plea or declaration.

Mr Findlay was initially treated at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, then transferred to the plastic surgery unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He was later released. The journalist has written extensively about the Glasgow crime scene. Last year he won Scoop of the Year at the Scottish Press Awards.