Hollywood star James McAvoy’s half-brother slashed inmate during jail visiting time

Donald McAvoy, 36, pleaded guilty to assaulting Colin Lindsay with a blade at HMP Saughton in Edinburgh – CCTV captured the attack which happened during visiting time while children were present

Hollywood star James McAvoy’s half-brother has admitted slashing another prisoner’s face at a notorious jail. The horror moment Donald McAvoy, 36, pulled out a hidden blade and dragged it across Colin Lindsay’s face was caught on CCTV.

The High Court in Edinburgh viewed the footage showing staff at HMP Saughton in the Scottish capital rushing to restrain McAvoy on 21 October 2025. Other prisoners and their families reported hearing him say ‘I done what I needed to do.’

Judge Norman McFadyen viewed the disturbing video shortly after McAvoy, from Drumchapel, Glasgow, admitted to assaulting Mr Lindsay with a “bladed implement” causing “severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and to the danger of his life,” reports Edinburgh Live.

Prosecutor Alexandria Kirk said: “At about 4pm on 21 October 2025, prisoners, including the accused, were concluding their visits with family and friends.

“There were young children in the visiting area. When the visiting ended, the prisoners made their way towards the exit to return to their wing whilst their visitors remained seated.”

Ms Kirk then stated that McAvoy launched his attack on the victim. She added: “Other prisoners assisted the complainer as the accused backed away.

“Prison officers reacted to take control of the accused who was apologising to the other prisoners and their families and friends saying ‘I done what I needed to do’.”

McAvoy was serving a “roll-up” sentence of five years and 10 months for a string of offences, including a road-rage attack on a 57-year-old grandfather. He was set for release in March 2025 but was slapped with an additional 15 months after confessing to possessing illegal razor blades and a prohibited mobile phone SIM card in his cell at Glenochil Prison in Clackmannanshire.

McAvoy shares father James snr with X-Men star James, 44 – although the two were raised separately and are thought never to have met. During the Falkirk Sheriff Court hearing, McAvoy appeared for sentencing via video link, and his solicitor revealed that he had received a ‘sizeable legacy’ from his late father’s estate.

Solicitor Ian Sievwright stated: “Mr McAvoy’s father died whilst he’s been in prison. He has inherited a sizeable amount of money from his father’s estate, and that may allow him the financial resources to avoid criminality when he is eventually released.

“He’s been a prisoner for a long time, and he is determined for his daughter’s sake that when he leaves prison he will lead a pro-social lifestyle and provide for her and fully participate in raising her.”

McAvoy has more than 40 prior convictions, including a series of violent offences.

Glasgow-born X-Men and His Dark Materials actor James McAvoy,46,, who has also starred in films including Filth, Atonement and Trance, is thought to have never met Donald.

On Tuesday, McAvoy watched the proceedings at the high court through video link. Ms Kirk stated that McAvoy was restrained shortly following the incident.

She explained that authorities have been unable to determine a motive for the attack.

Mr Lindsay required medical attention and was subsequently returned to prison after receiving treatment from doctors. Defence advocate Kenneth Cloggie indicated he would address the court once Judge McFadyen had received background reports regarding McAvoy’s character.

Judge McFadyen informed McAvoy that sentencing would take place later this year.