Scottish actor Peter Mullan was violently assaulted after stepping in to protect a woman being attacked by her partner on a Glasgow street last year.
Violent Confrontation Outside O2 Academy
The incident occurred near the O2 Academy venue in Glasgow on September 20, 2023. Security staff had earlier spotted Dylan Bennet, 29, clutching a bottle of vodka in the street. CCTV footage later captured him sprinting towards his partner near the venue.
Bennet was seen seizing the woman by the neck and violently shaking her for approximately ten seconds. Peter Mullan, known for his roles in Harry Potter and Trainspotting, noticed the woman was upset and crying and asked a security guard if she was okay, learning that police had been called.
Actor's Intervention Leads to Attack
Fiscal depute Josh Dowie told Glasgow Sheriff Court that Mullan turned to see Bennet assaulting the woman. The actor intervened, placing himself between the attacker and the victim. Mullan informed Bennet that the police were on their way, at which point Bennet headbutted him, causing a head injury.
During the altercation, Bennet also brandished a glass bottle at both Mullan and his partner. When police arrived, Bennet was being restrained on the ground by security staff from the O2 Academy.
Attacker Jailed After Guilty Plea
Bennet recently pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting both Peter Mullan and the woman. Sheriff Iain Fleming sentenced him to 18 months in prison.
In defence, lawyer Tony Callaghan stated that Bennet had been at a party taking a cocktail of alcohol and drugs throughout the night before the argument with his partner erupted. Callaghan said his client 'deeply regrets his involvement in this incident, especially to the innocent bystander.'
Peter Mullan, who played Death Eater Corban Yaxley in the Harry Potter films and also appeared in Amazon's The Lord of the Rings series, was left injured but has since recovered from the unprovoked attack.
