FIFE MAN RELIVES TERROR OF BEING TAKEN HOSTAGE AND THROTTLED BY ATTACKER HE MET ON GRINDR
Dean Slessor, 31, locked the door to Conner Burdett’s second floor flat in Kelty and violently assaulted him, leaving him fearing for his life.Slessor appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing after being found guilty of abduction and assault to injury in Netherton Gardens on January 6 last year.
He still denies the guilt.
Sheriff Susan Duff sentenced Slessor to a year in prison, the maximum for this offence, backdated to September 10 when he was remanded.
The court heard that Slessor, who met Mr Burdett on Grindr while he was vulnerable, became angry when Burdett said he was going to leave the flat, punching him and strangling him in an attempt to kill him.
Mr Burdett, who is 5ft 6 and about 8.5 stones, was dwarfed by Slessor, who is 6ft 2.
During the attack, Slessor broke Mr Burdett's pinkie finger and slammed him against walls and furniture, even choking him until he could not breathe.
The victim's trauma has persisted, causing him to avoid leaving home and to seek psychiatric help.
He has made efforts to recover, including sharing images of his injuries with friends and calling police for help during the incident.
The attack lasted about four hours, and Mr Burdett was able to escape once police arrived and he managed to open the door.
Slessor was convicted of violent abduction and assault, with the sheriff stating that the case should have been prosecuted in the High Court and describing the attack as attempted murder.
The sentence reflects the severity of Slessor’s actions and their ongoing impact on Mr Burdett.
