A FORMER policeman accused of sex abuse was critically ill last night after being attacked outside court.
James Ainsworth, 61, was injured during a break in his trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Paramedics gave him CPR in the street and he was taken to intensive care, where he remained unconscious yesterday. A 31-year-old suspect is in custody.
Ainsworth, of Largs, Ayrshire, was accused of a string of offences against a number of individuals dating back to the 1960s.
The trial began on Monday and he was attacked at lunchtime on Wednesday.
He was left on the ground yards from the door of the court building. Officers were seen taking a man â believed to be the suspect â inside.
A witness said: âAlmost every court police officer was on the scene.
âThe man on the pavement was not moving and was clearly in a very bad way. There were items scattered nearby. Paramedics treated him for about 30 minutes, including giving him CPR.â
It is not believed any weapon was used in the attack.
Reporting of the incident was banned for 24 hours while the authorities decided whether to continue with Ainsworthâs trial.
And yesterday, prosecutor Kath Harper asked a judge to halt the case. She said it seemed unlikely that Ainsworth would be able to come to court âin the near future at allâ.
Miss Harper told the court: âMr Ainsworth is in intensive care at the Southern General. His injuries are life-threatening and he remains unconscious.
âHe was put into a medically induced coma. Sedation was lifted and doctors are awaiting a reaction. Medical staff are unable to give any prediction for recovery.â Judge Lady Scott discharged the jury, telling them: âThis may come as a shock and I hope you do not find it too distressing.â
She called for a full report into the incident.
Police said a man aged 31 was in custody and due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.
James Ainsworth, 61, was injured during a break in his trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Paramedics gave him CPR in the street and he was taken to intensive care, where he remained unconscious yesterday. A 31-year-old suspect is in custody.
Ainsworth, of Largs, Ayrshire, was accused of a string of offences against a number of individuals dating back to the 1960s.
The trial began on Monday and he was attacked at lunchtime on Wednesday.
He was left on the ground yards from the door of the court building. Officers were seen taking a man â believed to be the suspect â inside.
A witness said: âAlmost every court police officer was on the scene.
âThe man on the pavement was not moving and was clearly in a very bad way. There were items scattered nearby. Paramedics treated him for about 30 minutes, including giving him CPR.â
It is not believed any weapon was used in the attack.
Reporting of the incident was banned for 24 hours while the authorities decided whether to continue with Ainsworthâs trial.
And yesterday, prosecutor Kath Harper asked a judge to halt the case. She said it seemed unlikely that Ainsworth would be able to come to court âin the near future at allâ.
Miss Harper told the court: âMr Ainsworth is in intensive care at the Southern General. His injuries are life-threatening and he remains unconscious.
âHe was put into a medically induced coma. Sedation was lifted and doctors are awaiting a reaction. Medical staff are unable to give any prediction for recovery.â Judge Lady Scott discharged the jury, telling them: âThis may come as a shock and I hope you do not find it too distressing.â
She called for a full report into the incident.
Police said a man aged 31 was in custody and due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.
