A violent thug who threatened Scottish football legend Gordon Durie in a botched car-jacking became the victim of a hate campaign behind bars, a court has heard.
John Rodden Alexander, who chased down the ex-Rangers and Scotland striker with a knife, smashed up his cell at Perth Prison in a desperate attempt to get himself transferred to another jail.
The 38-year-old had received death threats from Gers fans after fellow cons found out about his assault on Mr Durie in Cardenden.
Alexander admitted wilfully damaging furnishings at his cell on April 8, days after his attempted car-jacking hit the headlines.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the cost of repairs came to more than £1,300.
Prison staff heard banging noises
Alexander, who was jailed for more than three years in June, was sentenced to four months behind bars.
The new jail term will run alongside his current sentence, after his solicitor urged the court not to make Alexander an official “long-term” inmate.
Fiscal depute Nicole Lewis told the court: “The accused was the sole occupant of the cell at the time.
“Prison officers heard banging coming from his room.
“On checking the cell, they found debris all over the floor.”
She said he had broken a sink and shelving unit.
“The approximate cost of the damage, including labour, was £1,304.52.”
‘A target in prison’
Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said his client had been jailed for 200 days for a separate offence, before he was sentenced last month for the car-jacking attempt.
“Effectively, this man is very close to being a long-term prisoner.
“His release date is Christmas Day 2023.”
Mr Holmes added: “If the court were to today impose a consecutive sentence, that would transfer him to long-term prisoner status and that would mean he would be required to serve all but six months of his sentence.
“The impact on him would be severe.”
The solicitor continued: “Mr Alexander tells me that there was a degree of publicity around an offence, which he accepts he had committed, involving a member of a football team.
“Because of that he became a target in prison.
“He was aware that specific threats were being made against him and he had been warned by other prisoners and the authorities.
“He asked to be transferred to Barlinnie prison, but that was denied.
“At the same time, his father was very ill and he had been taken from Perth Prison to see him in hospital.
“It was the combination of both these factors – the fear for his safety and the concern for his family – that he felt he had to be moved to another prison.
“When he caused damage to his cell, he was placed in segregation for five weeks before he was eventually transferred to Barlinnie.
“His father passed away while he was in segregation.
“The reason for this offence was not wanton destruction, it was because his own safety was in severe jeopardy.”
‘Don’t be a hero’
Sheriff Francis Gill told Alexander: “You have pled guilty to causing significant damage within your cell at HMP Perth.
“The explanation offered on your behalf is no justification for your behaviour.
“Given your record, I am satisfied that a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
In April, Dunfermine Sheriff Court heard how Alexander – known as Rodden – pointed a kitchen knife with a six-inch blade at Mr Durie and warned him: “Don’t be a f***ing hero”.
Mr Durie then ran for his life while Alexander chased him, demanding his car keys.
The former Rangers, Chelsea, Tottenham and Hibs star had been watching his son play in a football match in Cardenden and had been accompanied by his grandchildren moments before the attack.
Rodden had been living in Fife following his release from jail after serving a five-year sentence for robbing a service station armed with an axe.
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