23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Musician scarred for life in horror slashing attack after masked stranger storms stage
Guitarist and singer Craig Scott has opened up on his mental health battle.
A musician has been left scarred for life after he was viciously slashed as he performed on stage. Craig Scott, 34, was butchered by a masked stranger in the random attack at The Station Bar in Stevenston, Ayrshire, on December 20 last year.
He needed 27 stitches to a devastating facial wound after the thug ripped his skin from his jaw to his chin. He is now speaking of his ordeal for the first time after his attacker, Craig Byers, was sentenced to 10 years in prison over the violent assault last week.
Byers, 34, was also convicted of knifing Craig's pal. Craig told the Record: "I had seen the guy earlier in the evening for a couple of seconds when I was out getting a cigarette. He passed, spoke to my friend and then spoke to me.
"He told me he needed to go up the road because he had an electronic tag on and I said, 'no worries, man, all the best for Christmas '. I shook his hand and off he went.
"Later on, he ran in with a balaclava on, slashed my friend at the bar, then slashed me on stage. He ran back out and the whole thing was over in about 30 seconds.
"It was very, very scary. It was mental and shocking for everyone. I had only one interaction with this individual in my life and I don't know why he did what he did. I was thinking all sorts of stuff.
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"Asking myself if I'd said something wring in that tiny interaction, but I know for a fact I didn't." The traumatic incident saw Craig taking a near-four-month break from performing, but he has powered through and found the strength to get back on stage.
He continued: "I was in the shadows for a couple of months and didn't socialise. I had anxious fears over my appearance and that was difficult for me. I had to mentally build up to going back out on stage.
"I was always really nervous anyway, so it's definitely hard at the moment. I'm basically putting on a brave face and faking my way through it, while feeling extremely overwhelmed.
"It takes a lot out of me, but I've had unbelievable support from many many people who have helped me through. I couldn't be more thankful to everyone who has helped me and are continuing to help me rebuild some confidence."
Speaking on Byers' sentence, Craig added: "I think that's a fair sentence. I'm actually surprised it wasn't longer, but I still wouldn't wish it upon him. I've read about his other crimes and his track record.
"That makes me feel like he's going to have his work cut out for him to keep the head for 10 years. Ideally, you want people to turn their lives around and be better. I just hope the system continues to work and actually rehabilitates him."
