Actor Peter Mullan attacked after trying to stop assault

Scottish actor Peter Mullan was attacked after he tried to stop a man from assaulting a woman.

Mullan stepped in between Dylan Bennet, 29, and the woman near the O2 Academy venue in Glasgow on 20 September last year.

The actor – also an award winning director for films such as The Magdalene Sisters and Neds – was wounded on the head as a result of the attack.

Bennet pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assaults on Mullan and the woman and was jailed by Sheriff Iain Fleming for 18 months.

Bennet had been spotted out in the street by security staff that morning clutching a bottle of vodka and CCTV later captured him sprinting towards his partner near the venue.

He was later seen seizing her by the neck, violently shaking her back and forward and holding her for 10 seconds.

Fiscal Josh Dowie told the court how Trainspotting and Braveheart star Mullan tried to come to the woman’s aid after noticing her crying.

Mullan asked a member of security at the venue if the woman was “okay” and was told police had been called.

Dowie said “Mr Mullan turned around towards Bennet and the woman to see him assaulting her.

“He turned back and intervened then stood between them.

“Mr Mullan told Bennet that the police had been called and at this point he was headbutted.”

Bennet also brandished a glass bottle at both Mullan and the woman during the incident.

When police arrived they found Bennet being held on the ground by O2 Academy security staff.

Tony Callaghan, defending, told the court Bennet had been at a party taking a cocktail of alcohol and drugs through the night.

The lawyer said an argument had developed between Bennet and his partner during the evening.

He said his client deeply regretted his incident.