A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a vicious attack on another man in a Perthshire street. Lee Mullen, 31, was found guilty of assaulting Lindsay Milton in a horrifying incident at Davie Park, Rattray, on June 19, 2023. The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Mullen had stolen Mr. Milton’s Transit van earlier that evening. Mr. Milton confronted Mullen when he found him in the stolen vehicle, leading to a brutal assault witnessed by residents in the area.
Witnesses reported seeing Mullen repeatedly punching and kicking Mr. Milton, causing him to fall to the ground. Mullen then proceeded to stamp on his victim and continued with the violent attack even as Mr. Milton tried to stand up. After the assault, Mullen fled the scene but was later apprehended by the police at his girlfriend’s home. Subsequently, he pleaded guilty to charges including attempted murder, vehicle theft, and driving offenses.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Scott McKenzie recounted the vicious nature of the attack and Mullen’s remorseless behavior following his arrest. It was revealed that Mr. Milton suffered serious injuries and was unconscious for around five minutes before being taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. The assault had a significant impact on Mr. Milton’s life, resulting in financial losses and ongoing recovery from his injuries.
Judge John Morris, KC, described the offence as “dreadful” and emphasized the brutality of the assault on an individual attempting to protect his property. Despite Mullen expressing remorse for his actions, the judge deemed it necessary to impose a nine-year prison sentence, highlighting the devastating consequences of Mullen’s actions on the victim’s life. Additionally, Mullen was ordered to be supervised for three years upon release and banned from driving for 18 months.
The incident began when Mr. Milton parked his vehicle outside a hotel in Blairgowrie, watching a football match before discovering his van had been stolen. The collision of events escalated into a violent confrontation that left Mr. Milton severely injured and requiring medical attention. The court’s decision to impose a significant prison sentence reflects the seriousness of Mullen’s actions and the need for accountability in cases of such violent crimes.