Take3 days ago
Hedley tagged, not jailed, for the assault on cyclist Ian Brown
Joseph Hedley, 39, avoided jail at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for assaulting cyclist Ian Brown, and was given an electronic tag, a 12-month home curfew from 7pm to 7am and a two-year supervision order. He had pleaded guilty to assaulting Brown to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life. Sheriff Fergus Thomson said he imposed an alternative to custody "by the narrowest of margins".
What this means
Hedley is under an electronic tag and a 12-month home curfew from 7pm to 7am, with a two-year supervision order that includes a social worker.
On 20 September 2024 in Cowgate, Edinburgh, Hedley got out of his car, grabbed Brown round the neck, threw him to the ground and drove off. Brown lost consciousness and was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, a fractured skull and an acute bleed on the brain. Medics said his injuries were "very much to the potential of danger to Mr Brown's life". The attack was captured on mobile phone footage that was played to the court. Procurator Fiscal Faith Currie called it «a violent, sustained and unprovoked assault on an innocent member of the public who suffered serious injuries.» Outside court, Hedley told STV News: «I'm sorry for what I did. He was blocking my way, so I had to move him.» He also said Brown "was kicking off" and that Brown's broken skull "doesn't matter".
Sources
Analysed 2 sources, written and summarised with AI · How we work