Donald McAvoy, the half-brother of Hollywood actor James McAvoy, has been jailed for five years and four months after slashing a fellow inmate at HMP Saughton in Edinburgh. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to assaulting Colin Lindsay with a bladed implement, causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and danger to life.
The attack occurred on October 21 2025 during visiting time, with footage showing prison staff restraining McAvoy as a child played nearby. Judge Norman McFadyen described it as a “shocking attack” vividly captured on video, noting McAvoy’s long criminal record for violence. A report highlighted McAvoy’s cognitive and language impairments, and he will be supervised for three years after release.
Prosecutor Alexandria Kirk stated that McAvoy attacked Lindsay as prisoners were leaving the visiting area. Other inmates assisted the victim, while McAvoy apologised, saying “I done what I needed to do.” The motive for the assault remains unknown.
McAvoy has over 40 previous convictions, including a road-rage attack on a grandfather. While serving a sentence for that, he admitted possessing razor blades and a SIM card in his cell at Glenochil Prison. His solicitor, Ian Sievwright, said McAvoy inherited a sizeable sum from his late father’s estate, which may help him avoid criminality on release.
McAvoy shares a father with X-Men star James McAvoy, but the two are believed never to have met. His lawyer noted McAvoy’s determination to lead a pro-social lifestyle for his daughter’s sake.
