Man begged for his life after being chased into McDonald's kitchen and attacked with shard of glass

A man begged for his life moments before being severely assaulted in the kitchen of a busy city centre fast food restaurant, a court has heard.

Jayjay Hutton, 31, and Peter Williamson, 49, pursued the victim along Reform Street in Dundee before running into a branch of McDonald’s on July 18.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Tuesday how Williamson and the victim had been having “friendly interaction” with each other earlier on the same evening.

However, judge Lord Cubie heard how a glass bottle was accidentally smashed, and the atmosphere between the pair changed.

Prosecutor David Dickson KC heard how Williamson picked up a shard of glass and started chasing the man with his co-accused Hutton.

The court heard how the victim then entered McDonald’s on the street.

Mr Dickson added: “[The victim] ran into McDonald’s closely followed first by the accused Hutton and thereafter by the accused Williamson, who was still in possession of the shard of glass.

“[The victim] was initially at the counter but then sought refuge behind the counter.

“Thereafter, in the presence of the accused Hutton, the accused Williamson struck [the victim] on the head with the shard of glass.

“[The victim] ran behind the counter into the kitchen, followed by the accused Hutton, who ran into the kitchen area and punched [the victim] in the head.

“The accused ran out of the front door of McDonald’s whilst the accused Williamson pursued [the victim] through the kitchen area.

“Whilst on the ground, [the victim] was described as begging for his life.

“[The victim] was given assistance by staff but went into the street where police found him staggering about.”

Hutton and Williamson, both of Dundee, pleaded guilty to assaulting the man and pursuing him before repeatedly striking him on the head, neck and body with a shard of broken glass to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

Lord Cubie was shown CCTV footage of the moments the victim went through the restaurant. Viewers could see workers trying to do their jobs as the assault took place.

Following the attack, Mr Dickson said the man needed emergency medical treatment.

He added: “Only on being advised by paramedics that his wounds were so deep that he could bleed to death, did he agree to go with the ambulance.

“He underwent surgery during the court, during which a piece of glass was removed from one of his wounds.”

Mr Dickson said that following the assault, Hutton “spoke freely” with the police, and he said that other people had told him the man had “hit an elderly man” at a cash machine.

The advocate depute added: “The accused said he went to challenge [the victim] about this and ended up following him into McDonalds where he punched him.”

Lord Cubie told the pair that he was deferring sentence so he could obtain reports concerning their backgrounds.

He added: “You will be both remanded in custody.”

The case against Hutton and Williamson will next be called at the High Court in Dundee on November 3, 2026.