Man pleads guilty to fracturing victim's skull with bike saddle

Cameron Black attacked Thomas McManus in Glasgow city centre on May 4

First offender Black pled guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Author: Stephanie AllisonPublished 7th Mar 2024

A man had his skull fractured with a bicycle saddle during a fight in Glasgow.

Cameron Black, 20, jumped Thomas McManus in the city centre on May 4, 2023.

Black was earlier a victim of a vicious attack by McManus and another man.

However, Black pursued McManus and struck him with the weapon while the victim had been dragged to the ground.

First offender Black pled guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting McManus to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The court heard that McManus initially met Black outside St Enoch shopping centre and the pair shook hands before they spoke.

McManus later attempted to punch Black before he was then struck by an unknown man.

The unknown man then jumped on Black who was on the ground.

McManus tried to kick Black to his head meantime and incident lasted one minute.

The pair left the scene but were then followed by Black.

McManus - who noticed that he was followed - brandished a glass bottle at Black.

Black then grabbed a saddle from a nearby bike and ran towards McManus.

Prosecutor Sean Docherty said: "Black attempted to strike him with he saddle as McManus tried to strike him with a bottle.

"McManus attempted to run away from Black however he was dragged to the ground by an unknown man.

"Black approached him on the ground and struck him with the saddle to his head with force a number of times."

McManus was able to get up and fled to a nearby McDonald's for safety.

He was later taken to hospital where he was treated for a head wound with nine stitches.

Mr Docherty added: "A CT scan also revealed a small skull fracture."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Daniel Kelly.

Black, of the city's Bridgeton, had his bail continued meantime.

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