A new dad has called for long jail sentences for a pack of thugs who brutally attacked him in the street.
Rhys Reynolds was struck with knives, kicked, stamped on, punched and battered with a metal pole when he was set upon by a
six-strong gang.
He also had a rock dropped on him.
Rhys suffered knife wounds, facial fractures and bleeding to the brain.
At the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, four of the gang were convicted of attempted murder.
Rhys, who needed emergency surgery and , said: “These guys tried to kill me.
“They definitely deserve long prison sentences.”
Rhys, who became a dad to a son last week, was attacked on Hogmanay in Musselburgh, East Lothian.
Aaron Thomson, 20, of Musselburgh, Kane Reilly, 18, of Prestonpans, and Dillin Armstrong, 24, from Haddington, all East Lothian, were convicted of attempting to murder Rhys.
A 16-year-old youth, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, was found guilty of the same offence.
Jayson Dodds, 19, of Musselburgh, was convicted of assault to injury.
Dean Riding or Renton, 22, earlier admitted his role in the crime and didn’t stand trial.
Rhys, 26, said: “I was walking with friends about 20 to 40 minutes before the Bells.
“This group shouted something at me and I turned round and said, ‘What?’
“They said they were going to stab me. I shouted back at them again and walked off.
“Then, one of them threw a bottle at my head from behind.
“I can remember losing the feeling in my body and my head going all tight.
“When they showed me the CCTV in court, I had to ask them to turn it off. I hadn’t known it was so bad.
“They were hitting me with a pole, kicking me in the head.
“I was in hospital for a week. I was employed on construction sites but I’ve not been able to work since.
“My doctor thinks I’ve got post traumatic stress disorder.”
Judge Gordon Liddle told the accused: “It is highly likely that all of you will end up with significant custodial sentences.”
Sentenced was deferred until next month for reports.
