A recent trial at Perth Sheriff Court has seen local resident Darren McMillan found guilty of his involvement in a racially charged assault that took place in a city centre alleyway. The incident, which occurred on April 24 of last year, involved a violent altercation where an asylum seeker was attacked with a knuckleduster.
McMillan, aged 23 and residing on Kestrel Way, was apprehended attempting to escape the scene in a taxi. The court heard distressing testimony regarding the victim, 25-year-old Kru Bantan, who was discovered bleeding heavily from a head wound following the attack in an alley situated just off South Methven Street – a bustling thoroughfare in Perth known for its shops and eateries.
During the three-day proceedings, jurors were presented with evidence detailing how Mr. Bantan was subjected to a brutal beating by another individual, a friend of McMillan’s who has since passed away. This individual was confirmed to be wearing a knuckleduster during the assault. While allegations that McMillan himself brandished a large kitchen knife at the scene were not substantiated by the evidence, he was ultimately convicted of acting in concert with his accomplice in the violent act.
A key aspect of the prosecution’s case highlighted the clear racial prejudice behind the attack. Witnesses recounted that the primary attacker made overtly racist remarks to Mr. Bantan, stating something to the effect of: ‘No, because you’re black and I don’t want you here,’ after being asked for a cigarette. This prejudicial motivation was a significant factor in the jury’s verdict. The Aftermath and Evidence Uncovered
The severity of the assault was evident from the victim’s condition, with Mr. Bantan reportedly ‘soaked in blood’ and suffering a cut to the back of his head. The swift response of an off-duty police officer, who intervened and summoned assistance, was crucial in disrupting the attack and ensuring its aftermath was investigated.
One of the key witnesses, 25-year-old Habib Drammen, who knew Mr. Bantan as a neighbour from the Queens Hotel – an establishment on Leonard Street that has housed asylum seekers for several years and has recently been the site of various community discussions and protests – provided his account to the court. Mr. Drammen described seeing Mr. Bantan being ‘grabbed by two men’ and being punched repeatedly by the shorter assailant using a knuckleduster. He also testified to seeing McMillan with what he believed was a knife, which deterred his direct intervention, though this specific charge against McMillan was ultimately not proven.
Mr. Drammen recounted shouting at the attackers to ‘Leave him alone, because he’s my friend’ and even falling down while being pursued by McMillan. His testimony refuted the defence’s claim that he and Mr. Bantan had attempted to rob the two men. Drug Discovery and Court Proceedings
In a significant turn of events following the assault, McMillan’s attempt to flee in a taxi from Mill Street was short-lived. Police intercepted the vehicle and arrested him. During a subsequent search at Dundee police headquarters, officers made a substantial discovery. From inside McMillan’s underwear, a black box containing 23 individually wrapped plastic bags of crack cocaine was recovered. The street value of these packages was estimated to be around £1,100, adding a serious drug offence to McMillan’s legal woes, to which he had already pleaded guilty prior to the assault trial.
Despite McMillan’s defence, which asserted that he merely witnessed a scuffle where Mr. Bantan allegedly attempted to rob his friend, the jury weighed all the evidence. After more than four hours of deliberation, they found him guilty of working in concert with the other man to assault Mr. Bantan, repeatedly punching and pushing him on the head and body with knuckledusters, causing injury. The jury also formally recognised the offence as aggravated by prejudice, explicitly referencing the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.
Although the charge concerning the possession of a knife was not proven, the conviction for the racially aggravated assault stands as a stark reminder of the importance of community safety and respect for all individuals residing in Perth. Sheriff William Wood has deferred sentencing for McMillan to allow for background reports to be prepared, and McMillan’s bail has been continued pending these reports.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts within Perth and Kinross to address and condemn acts of prejudice and violence, ensuring that justice is pursued in incidents that threaten the fabric of the community.
McMillan, aged 23 and residing on Kestrel Way, was apprehended attempting to escape the scene in a taxi. The court heard distressing testimony regarding the victim, 25-year-old Kru Bantan, who was discovered bleeding heavily from a head wound following the attack in an alley situated just off South Methven Street – a bustling thoroughfare in Perth known for its shops and eateries.
During the three-day proceedings, jurors were presented with evidence detailing how Mr. Bantan was subjected to a brutal beating by another individual, a friend of McMillan’s who has since passed away. This individual was confirmed to be wearing a knuckleduster during the assault. While allegations that McMillan himself brandished a large kitchen knife at the scene were not substantiated by the evidence, he was ultimately convicted of acting in concert with his accomplice in the violent act.
A key aspect of the prosecution’s case highlighted the clear racial prejudice behind the attack. Witnesses recounted that the primary attacker made overtly racist remarks to Mr. Bantan, stating something to the effect of: ‘No, because you’re black and I don’t want you here,’ after being asked for a cigarette. This prejudicial motivation was a significant factor in the jury’s verdict. The Aftermath and Evidence Uncovered
The severity of the assault was evident from the victim’s condition, with Mr. Bantan reportedly ‘soaked in blood’ and suffering a cut to the back of his head. The swift response of an off-duty police officer, who intervened and summoned assistance, was crucial in disrupting the attack and ensuring its aftermath was investigated.
One of the key witnesses, 25-year-old Habib Drammen, who knew Mr. Bantan as a neighbour from the Queens Hotel – an establishment on Leonard Street that has housed asylum seekers for several years and has recently been the site of various community discussions and protests – provided his account to the court. Mr. Drammen described seeing Mr. Bantan being ‘grabbed by two men’ and being punched repeatedly by the shorter assailant using a knuckleduster. He also testified to seeing McMillan with what he believed was a knife, which deterred his direct intervention, though this specific charge against McMillan was ultimately not proven.
Mr. Drammen recounted shouting at the attackers to ‘Leave him alone, because he’s my friend’ and even falling down while being pursued by McMillan. His testimony refuted the defence’s claim that he and Mr. Bantan had attempted to rob the two men. Drug Discovery and Court Proceedings
In a significant turn of events following the assault, McMillan’s attempt to flee in a taxi from Mill Street was short-lived. Police intercepted the vehicle and arrested him. During a subsequent search at Dundee police headquarters, officers made a substantial discovery. From inside McMillan’s underwear, a black box containing 23 individually wrapped plastic bags of crack cocaine was recovered. The street value of these packages was estimated to be around £1,100, adding a serious drug offence to McMillan’s legal woes, to which he had already pleaded guilty prior to the assault trial.
Despite McMillan’s defence, which asserted that he merely witnessed a scuffle where Mr. Bantan allegedly attempted to rob his friend, the jury weighed all the evidence. After more than four hours of deliberation, they found him guilty of working in concert with the other man to assault Mr. Bantan, repeatedly punching and pushing him on the head and body with knuckledusters, causing injury. The jury also formally recognised the offence as aggravated by prejudice, explicitly referencing the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.
Although the charge concerning the possession of a knife was not proven, the conviction for the racially aggravated assault stands as a stark reminder of the importance of community safety and respect for all individuals residing in Perth. Sheriff William Wood has deferred sentencing for McMillan to allow for background reports to be prepared, and McMillan’s bail has been continued pending these reports.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts within Perth and Kinross to address and condemn acts of prejudice and violence, ensuring that justice is pursued in incidents that threaten the fabric of the community.