Two thugs left a man trying to escape from a moving car during a row over an £800 debt.

Adam Ahmed and John Whyte, both 32, took Atif Iqbal on a terror ride after turning up at the home he shared with his partner on April 13, 2021.

Prosecutor Caroline MacBride told the High Court in Glasgow: "The motivation for the criminal conduct of both appears to be the recovery of a debt owed by the cousin of Atif Iqbal to Ahmed.

"Both engaged jointly to elicit information from Mr Iqbal about the whereabouts of his relative.

"When that failed they also attempted to recover the debt owed, directly from Mr Iqbal."

 

Explaining what happened, Miss MacBride said the pair appeared at the house in the city's Battlefield.

Mr Iqbal disputed any money was owed.

After going outside, Whyte demanded he take them to his relative.

Whyte soon grabbed the man and threatened to stab him.

Both assailants told him to get in their car. The victim also burst his lip after being punched.

Mr Iqbal went into the motor - Ahmed drove, Whyte the passenger.

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Miss MacBride said: "Whyte said the debt had increased from £800 to £2000 due to all the hassle."

Whyte also tried to strike him with a knife in the car.

The prosecutor said: "Mr Iqbal managed to open the rear door and was hanging out of the car trying to escape as Ahmed continued to drive."

The victim eventually fled from the car in the city's Pollokshaws Road, but Ahmed went on to mount the pavement forcing the man to dodge being hit.

After initially driving off, Ahmed done the same again this time smacking Mr Iqbal on the leg with the motor.

The incident was captured on CCTV and mobile phone footage.

The court heard Mr Iqbal suffered a fracture to his left elbow as well as abrasions to his body, leg and foot. He also needed stitches for the lip injury.

Ahmed, of Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, and Whyte, of Darnley, Glasgow, were later traced, but made no comment on being charged.

The pair pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Iqbal to his severe injury and danger of life.

They had initially been accused of attempting to murder him.

Lawyers for both had urged judge Lady Hood to allow them to remain on bail pending sentencing.

But, she said: "In all the circumstances, I am not going to continue your status and you will be remanded in custody."

They will return to court next month.