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Security boss John Lindsay jailed for torture of Jamie Alexander | Security boss John Lindsay jailed for torture of Jamie Alexander |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A security boss has been jailed for seven years for the "inhumane torture" of a vulnerable man. | A security boss has been jailed for seven years for the "inhumane torture" of a vulnerable man. |
John Lindsay and two accomplices poured boiling water on Jamie Alexander, 20, before dumping him in a kennel with two large dogs in a 90-minute ordeal. | |
The victim was also burned with cigarettes after wandering into Lindsay's unlocked home in Edinburgh. | The victim was also burned with cigarettes after wandering into Lindsay's unlocked home in Edinburgh. |
Lindsay, 52, who admitted the attack, was also ordered to pay Mr Alexander £5,000 compensation. | Lindsay, 52, who admitted the attack, was also ordered to pay Mr Alexander £5,000 compensation. |
Edinburgh city councillor David Walker had written a letter asking for Lindsay to be spared jail. | Edinburgh city councillor David Walker had written a letter asking for Lindsay to be spared jail. |
But at the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Turnbull ignored the plea - which he branded "preposterous" - and said a significant prison term had to be imposed. | But at the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Turnbull ignored the plea - which he branded "preposterous" - and said a significant prison term had to be imposed. |
The judge said Lindsay, director of JSL Security Services in Edinburgh, had behaved in an "inhumane manner" which involved the "humiliation" of his victim. | The judge said Lindsay, director of JSL Security Services in Edinburgh, had behaved in an "inhumane manner" which involved the "humiliation" of his victim. |
He also told Lindsay that given his background "taking the law into his own hands" made the offence more serious. | He also told Lindsay that given his background "taking the law into his own hands" made the offence more serious. |
The court earlier heard how Mr Alexander, who was sleeping rough, lost his return ticket from Falkirk to Edinburgh, had no money and had been wandering the streets for days. | The court earlier heard how Mr Alexander, who was sleeping rough, lost his return ticket from Falkirk to Edinburgh, had no money and had been wandering the streets for days. |
Kennel area | Kennel area |
He eventually found himself outside Lindsay's home on the outskirts of Edinburgh. | He eventually found himself outside Lindsay's home on the outskirts of Edinburgh. |
Mr Alexander walked into the unlocked house seeking directions. | Mr Alexander walked into the unlocked house seeking directions. |
He was asked by Lindsay's wife: "What are you doing in my house." | He was asked by Lindsay's wife: "What are you doing in my house." |
She told him to sit on a bench and phoned her husband, who turned up with two men. | She told him to sit on a bench and phoned her husband, who turned up with two men. |
The trio confronted Mr Alexander, who was repeatedly kicked and punched before being dragged to a kennel area and ordered to have " a think about things." | The trio confronted Mr Alexander, who was repeatedly kicked and punched before being dragged to a kennel area and ordered to have " a think about things." |
Prosecutor Andrew Brown QC said: "He was left alone wearing only his T-shirt. | Prosecutor Andrew Brown QC said: "He was left alone wearing only his T-shirt. |
"Two large dogs were in the kennel at this time including a Rottweiler, but they did nothing." | "Two large dogs were in the kennel at this time including a Rottweiler, but they did nothing." |
The victim's wrists and ankles were bound with cable ties. | The victim's wrists and ankles were bound with cable ties. |
Boiling water | Boiling water |
He was then subjected to a prolonged and vicious attack during which he was repeatedly asked who he was and why he was there. | He was then subjected to a prolonged and vicious attack during which he was repeatedly asked who he was and why he was there. |
It was suggested he was there to steal, but he repeatedly denied this. | It was suggested he was there to steal, but he repeatedly denied this. |
Mr Brown added: "Mr Alexander is unsure about the exact order of events. However, he remembers the second unidentified man striking him at least 10 times with a metal pole. | Mr Brown added: "Mr Alexander is unsure about the exact order of events. However, he remembers the second unidentified man striking him at least 10 times with a metal pole. |
"The accused left at one stage, returned with a chair and sat down beside the complainer. | "The accused left at one stage, returned with a chair and sat down beside the complainer. |
"He had a lit cigarette in his hand and repeatedly stubbed it into Mr Alexander's body. He also used a lock-type knife to cut him on the left arm and body." | "He had a lit cigarette in his hand and repeatedly stubbed it into Mr Alexander's body. He also used a lock-type knife to cut him on the left arm and body." |
One of Lindsay's accomplices then appeared with a kettle and slowly poured boiling water over Mr Alexander's naked groin. | One of Lindsay's accomplices then appeared with a kettle and slowly poured boiling water over Mr Alexander's naked groin. |
The court heard the victim screamed in pain and thought he was "going to be killed". | The court heard the victim screamed in pain and thought he was "going to be killed". |
After 90-minutes, Mr Alexander was given a rag to wipe blood away before being ordered not to tell police. | After 90-minutes, Mr Alexander was given a rag to wipe blood away before being ordered not to tell police. |
His attackers gave him six £1 coins and told he was lucky as "hardly anyone gets away". | His attackers gave him six £1 coins and told he was lucky as "hardly anyone gets away". |
The victim suffered two black eyes and a broken nose. | The victim suffered two black eyes and a broken nose. |
'Horrific ordeal' | 'Horrific ordeal' |
He had also had cigarettes burns marks on his left arm and scalding to his hands and thigh. | He had also had cigarettes burns marks on his left arm and scalding to his hands and thigh. |
Lindsay's QC Neil Murray said the offence was a "horrific ordeal" for the victim and that there was "no real explanation" for it. | Lindsay's QC Neil Murray said the offence was a "horrific ordeal" for the victim and that there was "no real explanation" for it. |
At a hearing last month, Lord Turnbull was handed a letter from Councillor Walker on official Edinburgh City Council notepaper. | At a hearing last month, Lord Turnbull was handed a letter from Councillor Walker on official Edinburgh City Council notepaper. |
The Labour councillor for the Craigmillar and Portobello ward asked for Lindsay not to be jailed. | The Labour councillor for the Craigmillar and Portobello ward asked for Lindsay not to be jailed. |
In an outspoken attack, the judge described the plea as "preposterous" and said he had never "seen anything more ridiculous" in his legal career. | In an outspoken attack, the judge described the plea as "preposterous" and said he had never "seen anything more ridiculous" in his legal career. |
Lord Turnbull added at the time: "This is an act of barbaric torture over a prolonged period of time on a vulnerable young man. | Lord Turnbull added at the time: "This is an act of barbaric torture over a prolonged period of time on a vulnerable young man. |
"This councillor proposes it should be dealt with by a non-custodial sentence. | "This councillor proposes it should be dealt with by a non-custodial sentence. |
"What troubles me is the way in which this individual does so in his public capacity." | "What troubles me is the way in which this individual does so in his public capacity." |
Lord Turnbull ordered his clerk to make Mr Walker aware of the full facts of the case and asked for an apology. | Lord Turnbull ordered his clerk to make Mr Walker aware of the full facts of the case and asked for an apology. |
It is believed the councillor has since written to apologise. | It is believed the councillor has since written to apologise. |
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