Crime writer Val McDermid attacked by OAP in Sunderland
The Scottish crime writer was meeting fans after appearing as a guest speaker at a public lecture at Sunderland University when a woman, believed to be in her 60s and wearing a blonde wig and trilby hat, pulled out a bottle of ink and poured it over the shocked 57-year-old.
Crime writer Val McDermid pictured at the Murray Library lecture theatre where she was giving a talk as part of the Sunderland University’s year-long public lecture programme.
Black ink was pelted at murder writer Val McDermid as she gave a public lecture at Sunderland University on her illustrious career.
An OAP wearing a wig and hat made the attack at the end of the 45-minute talk as Val signed a book for her, before running away.
Shocked Val dubbed the stunt “bizarre” and took to Twitter to say: “I’m fine, a bit shaken, never had anything like that before.”
She added: “No accounting for nutters. First incident like this in 25 years of book events. Who knew I could provoke such unpleasantness from a stranger?
“She walked out before anyone grasped what had happened. Everyone was stunned.”
Northumbria Police launched an investigation into the attack which happened last Thursday and inquiries are still ongoing.
More Info: www.sunderlandecho.com
Dec 14, 2012 @ 11:50:16
Certainly a dreadful thing to have happened though I’m sure, like me and so many others, Miss McDermid is probably more interested in why she did it. Maybe she, like the rest of us, had not received the promised newsletter.
Such a pity this has happened to sully an otherwise flawless career.
Dec 14, 2012 @ 13:28:59
Eew, how horrid for Val! And yet, I can hear her voice, ‘no accounting for nutters”. She’s made of good, strong, Scots’ stuff. Once she’s over the shock, she’ll be good as new.
Dec 14, 2012 @ 18:55:16
Why the hell should anyone want to do hat to Val? A nut case for sure.