Chef cleared of hot oil assault

The trial at the High Court in Glasgow lasted three days

A chef who defended himself by pouring hot oil over a man who he claimed had threatened to torch his shop has been cleared of assault.

Mohammed Sadiq, 55, told the High Court in Glasgow he thought Andrew Richford, 25, was going to attack him.

A jury accepted Mr Sadiq's claim he acted in self-defence and cleared him with a not proven verdict.

The incident happened in the Bombay Five Star takeaway, Fernhill Road, Rutherglen, on 12 November, 2004.

Mr Sadiq was accused of assaulting Richford by throwing hot oil over his head and body to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

He told prosecutor Hugh Irwin he had been the victim of a campaign of abuse and intimidation.

"I have had it up to here," he said.

"Every day people were making threats."

After Mr Sadiq's arrest, the takeaway was burned down.

He told the court Mr Richford came into the shop and threatened to torch it.

Oil cooled

He feared Mr Richmond had a weapon because he kept putting his hands in his pocket.

"I was frozen to the spot," he said.

"The only thing near to hand was a cup.

"He was not listening to me.

"I was not getting through to him.

"I thought he was coming for me so I used the cup to throw the oil over him.

"He just froze and then he ran out of the shop."

The court was told the oil had been cooled down to 27C (80F) from its normal cooking temperature of 151C (303F).

Mr Richford, from Fernhill, claimed he had gone into the shop to ask for a taxi to be phoned.

He said Mr Sadiq had launched an unprovoked attack on him.

He was scarred on his chest where the oil melted his t-shirt onto his skin.

As Mr Richford gave evidence he demanded Mr Sadiq look him in the eye.

Mr Sadiq said while waiting for the case to come to court he was on medication and lost weight.