Security staff at Scotland’s biggest music festival, TRNSMT, are facing heavy criticism for allegedly failing to protect a teenager who was brutally attacked at the event. The family of 16-year-old Lee Paton has condemned the festival stewards for “standing back and watching” as two men viciously assaulted him, leaving him in a coma on July 13.
Lee’s girlfriend, Paige Borland, also 16, heroically acted as a “human shield” to protect him until police officers arrived. Despite her efforts, Lee suffered severe injuries and was placed on a ventilator to save his life.
Lee’s father, Tam Paton, expressed his outrage over the security team’s inaction. “Lee and Paige told me that the security guards just stood and watched while those two animals stamped on my son’s head,” he told the Record. “They said the stewards didn’t even move until a police inspector at the festival rushed over. It’s shocking that they didn’t get involved”, reported Glasgow Live.
Tam praised Paige for her bravery, stating, “If it wasn’t for her actions, his injuries could have been far worse. If he had suffered any more blows to his head, we could be looking at a completely different story.” Recalling the incident, Tam shared his disbelief and anger: “As a parent, you hope your child goes to a festival like this and that they are safe. At the very least, you expect security guards to stop these fights before they get out of hand.”
Lee, attending his first music festival, was attacked while sitting on a bench in front of the ferris wheel between the Main Stage and the Boogie Bar at the Glasgow Green festival. Two men approached him, demanded he stand up, and then violently assaulted him, kicking his head and face. He was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and placed in an induced coma, suffering a fractured eye socket and other injuries.
Lee’s parents, Tam and Marie, described the ordeal as “every parent’s worst nightmare.” Tam recounted, “Lee was enjoying his weekend and then these thugs left him for dead. It was absolutely heartbreaking seeing him hooked up to a ventilator, completely battered and bruised.”
Police are still searching for the two attackers. The first suspect is described as around 19-20 years old, with a dark buzz cut hairstyle and a half-sleeve tattoo on his right arm. He was wearing a black bucket hat and had a Scotland saltire flag wrapped around him. The second suspect is described as around 6ft 1in, slim build, aged around 19-20 years old, with dark hair, and was wearing a light-colored top.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Greenshields of Shettleston CID stated, “This incident has left the victim with serious injuries, and we are carrying out extensive inquiries to identify the males responsibly. Numerous people will have witnessed this incident, and we urge anyone with information to come forward. If you think you can help, contact police via 101, quoting 2222 of 13 July, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”