A retired police officer was assaulted after he criticised two sisters’ behaviour during a Jersey Boys performance. The incident occurred at Glasgow’s Kings Theatre on 19 April 2022.
Lorna Carmichael, 43, attacked Alistair Malcolm, 59, near the lobby as both families were leaving. Her sister, Ann Gillespie, 52, grabbed Alistair’s wife, Catherine Malcolm, 52, causing her to nearly fall down the stairs. Sheriff David Taylor found Carmichael, of Germiston, guilty of assaulting Alistair and Gillespie, of Garthamlock, guilty of attacking Catherine.
Carmichael received a £320 fine and was ordered to pay £200 in compensation. Gillespie faced a £210 fine.
Sheriff Taylor remarked on the severity of the assault but decided against imprisonment, citing the sisters’ lack of prior convictions and positive background reports. He deemed a financial penalty appropriate.
The altercation began when Alistair criticised the sisters for making noise and their “theatre etiquette.” He told the court that one sister retorted they were simply “enjoying themselves,” to which he responded, “you are just drunk.”
Alistair testified that a woman lunged at him, causing him to fall on the stairs, where she pinned him down. “I just wanted to back away rather than push her,” he said, describing how she scratched his head and tried to get her nails into his eye socket. He spent the time fending off her hands.
Prosecutor Gail Campbell asked how he felt during the attack. Alistair replied, “Shocked that something like that happened at the theatre on a Tuesday night or at all. Perhaps with my previous employment I could deal with it better than some.”
The incident was broken up by staff, with police attending. Catherine testified that Gillespie attacked her, pulling her t-shirt and necklace, leaving fingernail marks on her chest and a bloodied mouth. “It was almost as if she was pulling me,” she said, adding that the altercation lasted only seconds.
Miss Campbell asked Catherine about her feelings regarding the incident. She replied, “horrible. I think I have been to the theatre once since then. I am too afraid to go back.”
Carmichael and Gillespie’s mother, Margaret Carmichael, 72, claimed in court Alistair had called them “s***s,” which he denied. She stated that Alistair was the aggressor and caused her to fall down the stairs, resulting in an arm injury requiring injections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened at the Jersey Boys show in Glasgow?
A retired officer was assaulted after complaining about the theatre etiquette of two women.
Who were the attackers involved in the incident?
Lorna Carmichael, 43, and Ann Gillespie, 52.
What were the consequences for Lorna Carmichael and Ann Gillespie?
Carmichael was fined £320 and £200 compensation, Gillespie was fined £210.
Did the incident have any lasting impact on the victims?
Catherine Malcolm is now too afraid to return to the theatre.
What did Sheriff David Taylor say about the case?
He called it a ‘nasty assault’ but decided that a financial penalty was more appropriate due to the attackers having positive background reports and a lack of prior convictions.