Man attacked stranger at Glasgow Sum 41 gig over comment about going to bar

A man who lashed out at a fellow concert-goer after a comment about being asked to go to the bar has been sentenced.

Calum Anderson, 43, flew into rage at the stranger at the Sum 41 concert at Glasgow’s Hydro on October 27 last year.

The men, along with their girlfriends, happened to be standing in the concourse of the venue with what was described as “friendly conversation” between them all.

Fiscal Darren Harty told Glasgow Sheriff Court: “During this, Anderson made reference to being ‘nagged’ by his partner to attend the bar.

“[The other man] replied: ‘You love it really – it keeps you on your toes’.”

Commercial manager Anderson initially laughed at the remark, but the hearing was told his mood then immediately changed.

Mr Harty said he became aggressive and yelled at the stranger: “I have been here long enough to know what that means. You do not f***ing know me.”

Anderson and his partner walked off before he soon came storming back.

The victim was sitting on the steps when the attacker shoved him with both hands.

Mr Harty added: “Anderson continued to stand over him, leaning in, pointing in his face.

“He punched him once to the face with a closed right fist. Anderson began to walk away, but returned and swung again, which was evaded by [the victim].”

Anderson sprinted out of the Hydro and jumped into a taxi.

The victim later felt a “severe shooting pain” after the gig as if his eyeball had “slightly dislodged” from its socket.

He was found to have suffered a “blow-out fracture” in that area of his face.

Police were alerted, and it was in January 2025 before Anderson, of Cramond, Edinburgh, was traced after CCTV captured the incident.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim, resulting in his severe injury.

Sheriff Louise Arrol KC ordered Anderson to do 270 hours of unpaid work and made a £3,000 compensation order, which will be paid to the victim.

Anderson was also put under supervision for two years.

The sheriff said, “It is disappointing that you make it to 43 years old without a blemish on your character.

“Fuelled by alcohol, you made a catastrophic decision for you and your victim.

“While this matter passes the custodial threshold, I am satisfied that there is an alternative to custody.”