A former soldier who carried out a brutal murder bid on a stranger while on weekend leave has been locked up for five years and three months. Scott Linton, 25, had been returning from a family party when he pounced on Steven McAllister in a lane in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, on March 14, 2020.
The ex-lance corporal - who served with the Royal Regiment of Scotland 5 Scots - punched, kicked and stamped on the 47 year-old leaving him unconscious in a pool of blood. The victim ended up in hospital for 12 days after the motiveless attack.
The beating was so severe the tread of Linton's trainer was still imprinted on his head. Father-of-two Linton - who was in the army for almost eight years - pleaded guilty to an attempted murder charge as he appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.
Judge Lord Mulholland said: "Kicking, stamping and punching on a person's head can easily result in death. You are fortunate but for the skill of the medical team you are not facing a charge of murder. I take account of your military service for this country and PTSD which has been diagnosed as well as the tragic family circumstances that have befallen you.
"I take account the sentencing guidelines that apply in your case and know that if the mitigating circumstances were not present, you would be facing a sentence in double digits. Due to the gravity of this crime there is no option other than to impose a sentence of imprisonment."
The court heard how Linton had been with his partner and other relatives at a family party at a local pub. Linton was later dropped off home separately after leaving the bash.
Prosecutor Michael Macintosh said instead of heading to the front door, the on-leave soldier instead walked down a nearby lane. It was there he met Mr McAllister, who was not known to him.
Linton suddenly started shouting at him including yelling: "Who the f*** are you?" He then went on to repeatedly punch and kick the stranger as well as stamping on his head.
Linton's partner could then hear shouting and raced out to investigate. Mr Macintosh: "Linton was standing over Mr McAllister, who was lying on the ground. His breathing was shallow and he was not moving."
Linton bizarrely claimed the man had made a jibe about a relative before adding: "I punched his c*** in." The soldier was held by police shortly after the attack. He stated to officers: "You would do the same."
Blood found on him matched the victim, who was rushed to hospital and put on a ventilator. Mr Macintosh: "His eyes were severely swollen and there was a tread mark clearly visible on his forehead."
This matched the sole of the trainers Linton had been wearing that night. Mr McAllister suffered fractures near his eyes as well as at his shoulder blade. It was March 26, 2020, before he left hospital - he initially had limited mobility.
There had also been concerns about the vision in one of his eyes. But, Mr Macintosh said the victim fortunately has been left with no lasting scarring or disfigurement.
Ronnie Renucci KC, defending, told the sentencing that the offence is "out of character." The advocate added: "He is no longer in the army because of this matter. He was held in high regard in the army while he was serving.
"He served his country and placed his life at risk for his country before this offence and remained in the army after that. There is no other blemish on his character other than this."
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