The Scottish man who made headlines around the world by posing as a teenage pupil at Bearsden Academy has been remanded in custody after threatening to kill his former university professor and his wife.
Brian MacKinnon, 63, became notorious in the 1990s when he enrolled at his old school under the name Brandon Lee, pretending to be a 16-year-old boy from Canada.
More than 30 years later, he has admitted attempting to extort a retired academic whom he blamed for destroying his ambition to become a doctor.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how MacKinnon broke into the home of Professor Brian Whiting, 87, and his wife Marlene, 83, before confronting them in their bedroom in the middle of the night.
The attack took place on 28 September 2025, the day after a BBC screening of My Old School, a film about MacKinnon’s extraordinary deception starring Scottish actor Alan Cumming.
Professor Whiting, the former dean of medicine at the University of Glasgow, had appeared in the documentary discussing MacKinnon’s failed attempts to complete his medical studies.
MacKinnon entered the couple’s Glasgow home at around 4.30pm while a rear door and garden gate were unlocked.
He remained hidden inside the property for several hours before entering their bedroom at around 1.30am.
Wearing dark clothing, a grey cap and a mask covering part of his face, he threatened the couple and demanded that they release two statements to the media.
The documents alleged a conspiracy involving university staff to prevent him from pursuing a medical career.
Prosecutor Eilidh Robertson told the court that MacKinnon threatened to kill the couple and harm their family if they refused to comply.
He also blamed Professor Whiting and two former colleagues for ruining his life and held them responsible for the deaths of his parents.
The court heard that the statements contained allegations about the University of Glasgow, BBC Scotland and Alan Cumming.
Police linked MacKinnon to the incident through DNA evidence and CCTV footage showing him near the property.
Officers searching his home in Milngavie recovered notebooks containing references to his continuing determination to gain a place at medical school.
MacKinnon pleaded guilty to attempted extortion at the High Court in Glasgow.
His defence advocate, Sean Templeton, told the court that his client’s ambition to practise medicine had shaped much of his life.
He said MacKinnon had struggled with the public attention surrounding his deception at Bearsden Academy, including the release of My Old School in 2022.
The court also heard that MacKinnon had undergone psychiatric assessment and was considered fit to stand trial.
MacKinnon’s original deception began in 1993 when, aged 30, he returned to Bearsden Academy, where he had previously been a pupil between 1974 and 1980.
Claiming to be Brandon Lee, a Canadian teenager, he successfully completed his Higher examinations and secured a place to study medicine at the University of Dundee.
His true identity was exposed in 1995, bringing his second attempt to become a doctor to an end.
The bizarre story subsequently inspired the documentary My Old School, directed by former Bearsden Academy pupil Jono McLeod.
MacKinnon appeared in court in a wheelchair. His lawyer described him as frail and said he was experiencing uncontrolled movements in one arm.
Lady Anwar deferred sentencing for reports and continued his remand in custody.
Addressing MacKinnon, she said: “You subjected [the couple], both in their 80s, to a shocking and terrifying ordeal in their home.”
The judge warned that he was likely to receive a significant prison sentence.
MacKinnon remains in HMP Barlinnie awaiting sentencing.