Crazed Glasgow driver tried to slash couple with machete and run them over outside McDonald's

Andrew McDonald lashed out at Ewan McCord, 23, and Emily Grant, 23, outside a McDonald's in Glasgow's Parkhead.
-Credit: (Image: Google Street View)


A driver attempted to strike a man and a woman with a machete and tried to run them over after being warned about speeding.

Andrew McDonald, 45, lashed out at Ewan McCord, 23, and Emily Grant, 23, outside a McDonald's in Glasgow's Parkhead on June 20, 2024.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Mr McCord and Miss Grant were sat outside the Forge Shopping Centre restaurant. Mr McCord noticed McDonald's Mercedes Sprinter van to be driving "at speed" around the drive through area.

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Prosecutor Jenny Reid said: "Mr McCord began to shout at McDonald for him to slow down. On hearing Mr McCord shouting, McDonald stopped his van and shouted at the window to the pair in an aggressive manner."

The trio engaged in an argument before McDonald left his van.

Miss Reid said: "He then produced a large machete style blade from behind his back and swung it towards them, but missing them."

The argument continued while two associates of McDonald attempted to stop him and return him to the van.

Miss Reid added: "Before getting back in the van, he ran at speed towards Miss Grant and Mr McCord with the machete, causing them to hide within McDonald's."

The pair later left the restaurant but were tailed by McDonald in the car park.

Miss Reid said: "He drove at speed towards them. He drove diagonally across the car park, over kerbs and a pedestrian area - both victims had to run to avoid being struck.

"They continued to run and hid in a nearby cemetery."

Police attended and traced the terrified victims who were in a "state of distress."

McDonald was eventually traced on July 20, 2024 where he was arrested.

McDonald appeared from custody and pled guilty on Friday, November 29 to dangerous driving and assault.

McDonald was put on structured deferred sentence to run alongside other matters until January by Sheriff Louise Arrol KC.

The offence comes 27 years after he was detained for two years as a teenager for scarring his victim at an under-18s disco with a slash running from his ear to the corner of his mouth.

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