THE Spanish policeman allegedly beaten up by boxing champion Scott Harrison will today undergo an operation to save his eyesight.
The officer suffered damage to his retina in a brawl after the WBO featherweight title holder was arrested for allegedly trying to steal a car.
The Spanish car owner - also allegedly attacked by the 29-year-old fighter - needed eight stitches to a head wound.
Last night it emerged that Harrison, who went to Malaga to revive his career, could face up to 11 years in jail for attempted theft and two counts of assault.
Police are investigating whether he tried to steal the car after overturning his own luxury £50,000 4X4 following a drinking session.
The Scot is being held in the maximum security Alhaurin de la Torre prison near Malaga while a magistrate investigates the accusations against him. A 50-year-old Scottish friend, who has not been named by police, was arrested with him and is in the same prison.
The pair are accused of trying to steal the car at 6am on 6 October from a residential street in Alhaurin del Grande, a town in the hills above the Costa del Sol.
They were arrested after police found the owner of the vehicle unconscious on the ground with a head wound.
Harrison is said to have launched an unprovoked attack on a civil guard officer after being taken to a police station.
A police spokesman said: "Scott Harrison and a friend were originally arrested for trying to steal a vehicle.
"The owner tried to stop them. Harrison punched him, leaving him unconscious with a head wound that required eight stitches.
"The attack on the civil guard officer took place after they had been taken to the headquarters of the civil guard in Alhaurin.
"Without provocation the two of them jumped on the officer and Harrison started punching him around the head and the face," the spokesman said.
"One of the blows struck the officer in the eye and left him with damage to his retina.
"We don't think he will lose the eye but obviously it's a serious injury that requires an operation. He hasn't been able to work since the attack.
"Harrison suffered no injuries but he was very agitated and was taken to a medical centre where he was given tranquillisers."
Police sources said they believe Harrison may have tried to steal the car after overturning his own vehicle.
Harrison owns a villa on the outskirts of Alhaurin, on the road to a neighbouring town, Coin. He was in Malaga preparing for a fight in London on 9 December. After his arrest he appeared at a private hearing at a court in Coin.
A spokesman for the court said yesterday: "Scott Harrison is being investigated on allegations of three crimes - attempted robbery with violence and two assaults, including one on a police officer.
"He has been remanded in prison pending further inquiries. He has not been formally charged. The investigating magistrate will rule on whether he should face trial."
Harrison has had a long battle with depression and alcohol. But his manager, Barry Hughes, insisted last night the boxer's comeback fight would go ahead as planned despite his arrest in Spain.
Mr Hughes said the fighter had done nothing wrong and was arrested as a result of language problems.
"Scott's car broke down and there was a confrontation because of a language communication problem," he said. "He doesn't speak any Spanish and the officer didn't speak any English. This is what led to Scott's arrest. Nowhere on the charge sheet does it say that he has stolen a vehicle."
Mr Hughes said he expected the boxer to secure his release within 24 hours, and insisted he would immediately resume training.
"Scott's in great shape," he said. "This is just a setback of one week's training."
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1540852006
Last updated: 17-Oct-06 00:57 BST
Harrison Update, not good
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Slapsie Maxie
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punchers chance
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jamesmcdonnell
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So let me get this straight, according to Hughes, it all went tits up because of a 'language problem.'
So what failure to communicate rendered one man unconscious and almost cost another his eyesight, that's some bleedin' misunderstanding all right.
Although of course Harrison hasn't formally been charged with anything, this looks as Slapsie says like Harrison is 'el buggered.' Whether or not he's been stitched up I don't know, but either way, he looks like he's going down if any of those charges stick. They don't take kindly to anyone having it large with the police in spain. In fact, he's lucky they didn't just shoot him on sight, spanish cops aren't exactly renowned for their restraint.
So what failure to communicate rendered one man unconscious and almost cost another his eyesight, that's some bleedin' misunderstanding all right.
Although of course Harrison hasn't formally been charged with anything, this looks as Slapsie says like Harrison is 'el buggered.' Whether or not he's been stitched up I don't know, but either way, he looks like he's going down if any of those charges stick. They don't take kindly to anyone having it large with the police in spain. In fact, he's lucky they didn't just shoot him on sight, spanish cops aren't exactly renowned for their restraint.
AS he stared into his son's eyes through a security screen in a Spanish jail, Peter Harrison asked himself if he still knew the boy he trained to be a world champion.
Peter insists - despite the grim list of claims against his son - that Harrison is innocent of brutally beating a cop on the Costa del Sol.
He still believes the tormented boxer can win his freedom, and conquer his many demons, in time to defend his world featherweight title in December.
But despite his faith in Harrison, Peter admits that the champ's latest brush with the law has shaken him to the core.
He said: "I don't know why but yesterday I suddenly thought to myself, 'Who is Scott Harrison? Does he even know who he is any more and is he still my wee boy?'
"There are times when I think I could have suffered a nervous breakdown over all this if Ihadn't been such a strong-minded person.
"Scott lacks life skills. It's hard for any father to admit his son is having difficulty coping with everyday life.
"But as a former boxer, I know one thing. Any fighter's toughest contest is outside the ring."
Harrison, 29, is no stranger to trouble with the law but the latest scandal to engulf him is the worst of his career.
Police sources in Spain say Harrison and a pal tried to steal a car after an all-day drinking bender, savagely battered the car's owner, then assaulted a policeman so severely that the retina in one of the officer's eyes was badly damaged.
The Cambuslang fighter was in Spain to prepare for his next bout - a defence of his WBO title against Englishman Nicky Cook.
He is now languishing in maximum-security Alhaurin de la Torre jail while a magistrate investigates his case. Experts believe he could be in jail for months.
Peter, who also trains his son, heard on Friday October 6 that Harrison had been arrested yet again.
He immediately made plans to fly to Spain to visit him in secret.
He wasn't allowed into the jail until a week later - Friday the 13th.
Peter said: "The prison is like Barlinnie in size. Scott's being kept in an area reserved for English-speaking inmates.
"That's how the story of his arrest became public - one of the other prisoners recognised Scott and made some phone calls."
The jail was as grim as any other but there was one light-hearted moment for Peter when he realised he had badly misjudged the Spanish weather.
He said: "The guards couldn't speak English, so I bought a phrase book and wrote down what I wanted to bring for my son.
"I got the words for clothes and shoes but what I didn't understand was the climate.
"I was bringing Scott summer clothes but the Spanish visitors were carrying blankets for their loved ones. The temperature really plummets in the evening."
Peter had to smile at his mistake. But when he finally got to the visiting room, he experienced the toughest hour of his life.
The dad admitted: "I've never known such an intense conversation with my own son. We maintained eye contact for every minute. Do you know how hard that is?
"We were separated by a plastic shield and could only talk to each other through phones on either side of it.
"When it came time for me to go we put our fingers against one another's on the barrier between us.
"And when I saw that Scott was able to hold himself together, I gained terrific strength from that reassurance.
"It felt like his inner strength was burning through the plastic. I left feeling as good as any person could under those circumstances.
"It was the most emotional moment of my life but I was glad that I had seen him.
"My wife and I have booked a flight to go back over there on Friday. But I hope we're reunited at the airport with Scott a free man.
"Scott's a complicated boy. I know he's brought a few things on himself in his time but I don't think he's anything like the monster people make him out to be. He's not a bad guy.
"When he's in the ring or preparing for a fight, there's a structure to Scott's life. His problem is that he doesn't know how to lead a normal life away from boxing. Scott's a big deal in a small country but there's a never-ending line of people eager to make money out of his misfortune.
"I helped build my son into a world champion but even his father couldn't prepare him for what came after that."
Peter said he and wife Agnes had suffered the worst year of their lives as Harrison battled drink problems and depression.
But he added: "Even that will never convince us that our Scott is anything other than the misunderstood soul we know him to be.
"No matter what, we'll be standing by him through this affair."
Harrison is due in court in Scotland next February to answer a string of charges relating to an incident at a Glasgow bar in April.
The boxer and two other men are alleged to have caused a breach of the peace at the Counting House pub, then refused to leave.
Harrison is also accused of resisting arrest outside the bar and kicking a policeman. All three accused deny all charges.
In addition, Harrison has been quizzed by police in connection with an alleged assault in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. He was handcuffed and taken away for questioning after appearing in court over the Counting House case.
Peter claims Harrison is innocent of any wrongdoing in Spain. He said: "We deny there was any attempt to steal a car. What has happened is purely a mix-up."
According to Peter, Harrison and his training team had a meal in a restaurant then headed for what they thought was a taxi - only to find it was a private car.
He claims the boxer and his friend then got caught up in "a misunderstanding which got physical".
Peter also cast doubt on the claim that the Spanish policeman Harrison allegedly assaulted could lose his sight. He said: "Boxers are hit about the face all the time and you rarely hear of any need for eye operations.
"Spain's a Christian country and I'm praying my son finds natural justice there. I know the Spaniards have goodness in their heart."
You've got to be kidding me.
Peter insists - despite the grim list of claims against his son - that Harrison is innocent of brutally beating a cop on the Costa del Sol.
He still believes the tormented boxer can win his freedom, and conquer his many demons, in time to defend his world featherweight title in December.
But despite his faith in Harrison, Peter admits that the champ's latest brush with the law has shaken him to the core.
He said: "I don't know why but yesterday I suddenly thought to myself, 'Who is Scott Harrison? Does he even know who he is any more and is he still my wee boy?'
"There are times when I think I could have suffered a nervous breakdown over all this if Ihadn't been such a strong-minded person.
"Scott lacks life skills. It's hard for any father to admit his son is having difficulty coping with everyday life.
"But as a former boxer, I know one thing. Any fighter's toughest contest is outside the ring."
Harrison, 29, is no stranger to trouble with the law but the latest scandal to engulf him is the worst of his career.
Police sources in Spain say Harrison and a pal tried to steal a car after an all-day drinking bender, savagely battered the car's owner, then assaulted a policeman so severely that the retina in one of the officer's eyes was badly damaged.
The Cambuslang fighter was in Spain to prepare for his next bout - a defence of his WBO title against Englishman Nicky Cook.
He is now languishing in maximum-security Alhaurin de la Torre jail while a magistrate investigates his case. Experts believe he could be in jail for months.
Peter, who also trains his son, heard on Friday October 6 that Harrison had been arrested yet again.
He immediately made plans to fly to Spain to visit him in secret.
He wasn't allowed into the jail until a week later - Friday the 13th.
Peter said: "The prison is like Barlinnie in size. Scott's being kept in an area reserved for English-speaking inmates.
"That's how the story of his arrest became public - one of the other prisoners recognised Scott and made some phone calls."
The jail was as grim as any other but there was one light-hearted moment for Peter when he realised he had badly misjudged the Spanish weather.
He said: "The guards couldn't speak English, so I bought a phrase book and wrote down what I wanted to bring for my son.
"I got the words for clothes and shoes but what I didn't understand was the climate.
"I was bringing Scott summer clothes but the Spanish visitors were carrying blankets for their loved ones. The temperature really plummets in the evening."
Peter had to smile at his mistake. But when he finally got to the visiting room, he experienced the toughest hour of his life.
The dad admitted: "I've never known such an intense conversation with my own son. We maintained eye contact for every minute. Do you know how hard that is?
"We were separated by a plastic shield and could only talk to each other through phones on either side of it.
"When it came time for me to go we put our fingers against one another's on the barrier between us.
"And when I saw that Scott was able to hold himself together, I gained terrific strength from that reassurance.
"It felt like his inner strength was burning through the plastic. I left feeling as good as any person could under those circumstances.
"It was the most emotional moment of my life but I was glad that I had seen him.
"My wife and I have booked a flight to go back over there on Friday. But I hope we're reunited at the airport with Scott a free man.
"Scott's a complicated boy. I know he's brought a few things on himself in his time but I don't think he's anything like the monster people make him out to be. He's not a bad guy.
"When he's in the ring or preparing for a fight, there's a structure to Scott's life. His problem is that he doesn't know how to lead a normal life away from boxing. Scott's a big deal in a small country but there's a never-ending line of people eager to make money out of his misfortune.
"I helped build my son into a world champion but even his father couldn't prepare him for what came after that."
Peter said he and wife Agnes had suffered the worst year of their lives as Harrison battled drink problems and depression.
But he added: "Even that will never convince us that our Scott is anything other than the misunderstood soul we know him to be.
"No matter what, we'll be standing by him through this affair."
Harrison is due in court in Scotland next February to answer a string of charges relating to an incident at a Glasgow bar in April.
The boxer and two other men are alleged to have caused a breach of the peace at the Counting House pub, then refused to leave.
Harrison is also accused of resisting arrest outside the bar and kicking a policeman. All three accused deny all charges.
In addition, Harrison has been quizzed by police in connection with an alleged assault in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. He was handcuffed and taken away for questioning after appearing in court over the Counting House case.
Peter claims Harrison is innocent of any wrongdoing in Spain. He said: "We deny there was any attempt to steal a car. What has happened is purely a mix-up."
According to Peter, Harrison and his training team had a meal in a restaurant then headed for what they thought was a taxi - only to find it was a private car.
He claims the boxer and his friend then got caught up in "a misunderstanding which got physical".
Peter also cast doubt on the claim that the Spanish policeman Harrison allegedly assaulted could lose his sight. He said: "Boxers are hit about the face all the time and you rarely hear of any need for eye operations.
"Spain's a Christian country and I'm praying my son finds natural justice there. I know the Spaniards have goodness in their heart."
You've got to be kidding me.
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SticknMove
- Heavyweight
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don't call it a comeback
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
Well, it sounds possible this was a mix up, but the problem is, as per usual, Scott's fists did the talking for him by the sounds of it. The guy seems to have a hair trigger temper and people seem to get roughed up if they piss him off.
Whatever way you look at it, Scott seems destined to end up behind bars, he's got so much grief going on around him lately, and it seems to be getting worse not better.
Scott's an alchoholic who needs help big time. Whilst I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of one of his drunked kickings, alchoholism is a real life wrecker and I hope he gets some help before it's too late.
Whatever way you look at it, Scott seems destined to end up behind bars, he's got so much grief going on around him lately, and it seems to be getting worse not better.
Scott's an alchoholic who needs help big time. Whilst I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of one of his drunked kickings, alchoholism is a real life wrecker and I hope he gets some help before it's too late.
Nothing's been proved yet man. I reckon people should allow for the facts to come out before hanging Scott by the neck. If what the Spanish police are saying is true then he's going to cop a fair stretch, but I wouldn't trust the Spanish dibble as far as I could throw one of those bulls they delight in sticking swords in either.
Perversely though, a spell behind bars could be just what he needs to turn his life around... it will either turn him round or break him totally... one thing for certain is that he shouldnt be let anywhere near a ring imo... he cant be in sound shape either mentally or physically and the people around him should stop trying to get him fighting again and just concentrate on getting him back to some like of sanity...
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don't call it a comeback
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- Joined: 26 Apr 2004, 08:47
Either way it looks like charges are inevitable and that will have major implications.TheGoods wrote:Nothing's been proved yet man. I reckon people should allow for the facts to come out before hanging Scott by the neck. If what the Spanish police are saying is true then he's going to cop a fair stretch, but I wouldn't trust the Spanish dibble as far as I could throw one of those bulls they delight in sticking swords in either.
Re: Harrison Update, not good
Some friend.topper123 wrote:Scott Harrison and a friend
Hope the friend enjoyed the (presumably) free drinks.
Scott clearly has a condition many people struggle to control. We all hoped he would surround himself with the right people and get the help he needs.
But right now, I think the priority is to protect the public.
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MightyWarrior
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don't call it a comeback
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Not half as weird as the fact that his girlfriend then went on to marry him AFTER he shot her in the chest.MightyWarrior wrote:He'll need a top local lawyer that's for sure.
Weird to think that Paul Spadafora actualy SHOT his girlfriend not too long ago, and already he's out and set for a ring comeback. Good lawyer no doubt...
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WildWaylon
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- Joined: 02 Nov 2005, 13:35
They havent proved Harrison intended to steal the car fair enough, but I think we can assume he DID beat two people up - Harrison is a world champion fighter and is capable of beating up almost any ordinary guy which makes him a very dangerous man with his fiery nature - He should go to prison for what he has done and he should get treatment for his problems - If he was to be let off it would just delay his going to jail IMO - Sooner or later he could even end up with a manslaughter charge, who knows - He is lethal the way he is so punishment and help is the only way forward for him.TheGoods wrote:Nothing's been proved yet man. I reckon people should allow for the facts to come out before hanging Scott by the neck. If what the Spanish police are saying is true then he's going to cop a fair stretch, but I wouldn't trust the Spanish dibble as far as I could throw one of those bulls they delight in sticking swords in either.
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Old bones Ian
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This is from the girlfriend of the assualted car owner
"Jose parked and was getting out when they attacked him. The older man swaggered across the street and
looked very drunk. I told Jose to be careful. The next thing I knew he was by the car door, stopping Jose shutting it and grappling with him. Then Jose collapsed. I was petrified and jumped out. It was then I noticed the younger guy. The men were strolling away as if they had no care in the world. Jose had blood dripping from his mouth and on his clothes and for a moment I thought he was dead. I was shouting at the men asking why they had done this. I was in tears. The younger one turned and told me I should say sorry for insulting his friend."
When her boyfriend staggered towards her, she said the younger man got into a boxing position as if he was about to attack him again. Thats when she ran to the car and called the police to the scene.
"Jose parked and was getting out when they attacked him. The older man swaggered across the street and
looked very drunk. I told Jose to be careful. The next thing I knew he was by the car door, stopping Jose shutting it and grappling with him. Then Jose collapsed. I was petrified and jumped out. It was then I noticed the younger guy. The men were strolling away as if they had no care in the world. Jose had blood dripping from his mouth and on his clothes and for a moment I thought he was dead. I was shouting at the men asking why they had done this. I was in tears. The younger one turned and told me I should say sorry for insulting his friend."
When her boyfriend staggered towards her, she said the younger man got into a boxing position as if he was about to attack him again. Thats when she ran to the car and called the police to the scene.
Re: Harrison Update, not good
How does he work that out when he's been locked up for nearly two having been on the piss?topper123 wrote:"This is just a setback of one week's training."
What a wanker I hope they string him up.topper123 wrote:This is from the girlfriend of the assualted car owner
"Jose parked and was getting out when they attacked him. The older man swaggered across the street and
looked very drunk. I told Jose to be careful. The next thing I knew he was by the car door, stopping Jose shutting it and grappling with him. Then Jose collapsed. I was petrified and jumped out. It was then I noticed the younger guy. The men were strolling away as if they had no care in the world. Jose had blood dripping from his mouth and on his clothes and for a moment I thought he was dead. I was shouting at the men asking why they had done this. I was in tears. The younger one turned and told me I should say sorry for insulting his friend."
When her boyfriend staggered towards her, she said the younger man got into a boxing position as if he was about to attack him again. Thats when she ran to the car and called the police to the scene.