James McAvoy's half-brother slashed fellow inmate in prison attack

The half-brother of Hollywood actor James McAvoy slashed a fellow inmate in a potentially life-threatening attack during visiting time in prison.

CCTV footage captured the moment that Donald McAvoy, 36, dragged a blade which he had hidden in his clothes across Colin Lindsay’s face.

Lawyers at the High Court in Edinburgh saw footage of staff at HMP Edinburgh, better known as Saughton, run to restrain McAvoy on October 21, 2025. A few feet away, another prisoner who appeared to be completely oblivious to what was happening played with a toddler.

Judge Norman McFadyen watched the video moments after McAvoy, of Drumchapel, Glasgow, pled guilty to a charge of assaulting Mr Lindsay with a “bladed implement” to his “severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and to the danger of his life”.

Describing the attack, prosecutor Alexandria Kirk told the court: “At about 4pm on October 21, 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.”

McAvoy attacked his victim.

“Other prisoners assisted the complainer as the accused backed away,” the prosecutor said.

“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 last in trouble in December 2023 and appeared in Falkirk Sheriff Court.

He was serving a sentence of five years and ten months for a number of offences including a road-rage attack on a 57-year-old grandfather.

He was due for release in March 2025 but was hit with another 15 months after he admitted having illegal razor blades and an illicit mobile phone SIM card in his cell at Glenochil Prison in Clackmannanshire.

McAvoy shared dad James snr with X-Men star James McAvoy, 44 – although the pair were brought up separately and are believed never to have met.

At the Falkirk Sheriff Court hearing McAvoy appeared for sentencing via video link and his lawyer said he had received a “sizeable legacy” from his late father’s estate.

Solicitor Ian Sievwright said: “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.”

The court heard the razor blades, partially wrapped in plastic, were found in September 2021 stuck to his toilet door by a magnet.

Mr Sievwright said the reason McAvoy had only recently admitted the crimes was because, until recently, he had thought the bladed item recovered from his cell was a tool he used for a hobby.

The solicitor said: “He was brought from prison to attend trial in October and that was the first opportunity that both he and I had the opportunity to view the item.

“It wasn’t what he thought had been taken from his cell — he’d thought it was a different item for which he had a reasonable excuse defence, which he used for arts and crafts in his cell.

“He’d thought it was a tool that he used for making soap carvings.

“When it was brought to court and he discovered it wasn’t, he took a view.

“He accepts it was in his cell, it didn’t belong to him, it was put in his cell by somebody else. There was no nefarious reason for him having it.”

He said the case had already ruined his chances of getting parole and he would now have to serve his full term.

Imposing the 15-month sentence and ordering it to run consecutive to McAvoy’s existing sentences, Sheriff Wyllie Robertson said: “These are serious offences. Their gravity has to be reflected.”

McAvoy has over 40 previous convictions, including a string of violent crimes.

On Tuesday, McAvoy observed proceedings at the high court via video link.

Ms Kirk said that McAvoy was restrained shortly after the attack. She said the authorities haven’t been able to establish a motive for the assault.

Mr Lindsay needed medical treatment and was later returned to jail after being seen by doctors.

Defence advocate Kenneth Cloggie said he’d address the court once Judge McFadyen had obtained background reports about McAvoy’s character.

Judge McFadyen told McAvoy he’d be sentenced later this year.