A jealous exhibitionist who hired a photographer for an X-rated shoot with his girlfriend has been given “one last opportunity” by a sheriff after he smashed the camera and battered the snapper.
Trevor Forrester who has two previous convictions for assault narrowly avoided jail at Paisley Sheriff Court after he attacked photographer Alan Gordon in January 2019.
Forrester was naked when he welcomed Mr Gordon into his home for the pre-planned steamy shoot before things turned ugly.
During the session Forrester, 35, lost the plot over comments made by Mr Gordon about his partner and smashed the camera.
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Later the same day, Mr Gordon was lured to the Erskine Bridge Hotel under the false pretence he was doing another raunchy photoshoot, before he was jumped by Mr Forrester, an act described by Sheriff Gillian Craig as an “ambush.”
Sheriff Craig told Paisley Sheriff Court she was “only very narrowly persuaded” not to send the father-of-three to prison for the “vicious attack.”
Instead, Forrester was ordered to carry out community service and ordered to pay compensation to Mr Gordon.
Procurator fiscal Martina McGuigan previously told Paisley Sheriff Court: “On January 8, 2019, Alan Gordon and the accused entered a chat website in order to arrange photoshoots of female models or couples for glamour or pornographic photos to be taken.
“Mr Gordon and the accused agreed that he would attend at the couple’s home to take pictures of them.
“In the terms of agreement it was set that there would be no financial transaction with Mr Gordon only present to take photographs.”
The court heard Gordon went to the couple’s home the following day and was welcomed in to the flat.
Ms McGuigan added: “The accused was naked and Emily Newton was not. “Pictures were taken and Mr Gordon describes complimenting the couple, particularly Ms Newton. A total of 17 pictures were taken.
“The accused’s demeanour changed with him becoming aggressive towards the photographer and he snatched the camera, a Nikon DSLR, causing it to smash.
“Mr Gordon left and returned home.”
Mr Gordon then received a call from Forrester’s partner who advised she had booked a room in the Erskine Bridge Hotel for a photoshoot.
Ms McGuigan added: “Ms Newton asked Mr Gordon to meet her advising she had thrown the accused out due to his behaviour towards him.
“Ms Newton arrived at the hotel and she spoke with the photographer.
“A short time later the accused got out the back of the car and dragged Mr Gordon to the ground and repeatedly punched him on the head and body to his severe injury for around one minute.
“Ms Newton was shouting: ‘Come on Trevor.’
“The couple left the hotel and Mr Gordon went inside the hotel where staff contacted an ambulance and the police.
“While providing details to the police, Mr Gordon received a call from a withheld number and when he answered he recognised the voice of the accused who threatened: ‘I’ll kill you if you grass me in.’
“This was overheard by police.”
The victim suffered a fractured forearm bone, and serious facial injuries in the surprise attack.
Defence agent, Mr Jenkins told how Forrester “lost his temper” after he believed the pictures where going to be shared on an online public forum.
On sentencing, Sheriff Gillian Craig said: “The report seems to diminish the planning of this incident.
“And it states that you can’t remember most of what happened as you were so under the influence of cocaine.
“It states you suffer from PTSD from your time in the Navy although that’s not been formally diagnosed.
“You show limited sympathy for the complainer who you seriously assaulted.
“This is your third conviction of assault, and this was a vicious attack and in one view it appears premeditated.
“What I am looking at is why should I not impose a custodial sentence today given the seriousness of the assaults.
“You appear to have turned your life around and so I will give you one last opportunity.
“I must say I am only very narrowly persuaded.”
Sheriff Craig ordered Forrester of Leven Street in Dumbarton to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work, placed him under supervision for six months and ordered him to remain within his home address each Friday and Saturday between 7pm and 7am for six months.
In addition, the brute was ordered to pay £300 in compensation to Alan Gordon.
A review hearing was set for July 21.
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