News / Single blow could land ferryman in jail
A SHETLAND ferryman who knocked out a fellow party goer with a single punch and left him with permanent injuries has been warned he could face a jail sentence.
Euan Henderson, of Torvaugh, Gloup, on the isle of Yell, pled guilty to assaulting a man outside a house in the neighbouring village of Cullivoe when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday.
The court heard the 34 year old and his victim had disliked each other since being at school together and during an evening of drinking there had been a steady “niggling” between them.
When his victim decided to leave the social gathering early, Henderson made a comment to which the other’s retort, according to procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie, “pushed him over the edge”.
“The red mist simply came down and to use a modern phrase, he lost it,” the fiscal said.
The victim got into his van to drive away, but the vehicle stalled. He managed to restart the engine, but had only driven a few feet when he was stopped by Henderson, who dragged him out from his seat and punched him once in the head.
Mackenzie said witnesses thought the victim was unconscious before he even hit the ground, adding the power of the blow was due to Henderson’s large size rather than the vigour with which it was delivered.
It took 10 minutes for the man to come around after which he was taken home, but the following day he went to hospital in Lerwick due to the seriousness of his condition where he required “a great deal of care” and underwent several CT scans.
The fiscal said the injuries sustained were potentially life threatening, but would have a long lasting impact, including the possibility of epilepsy, memory problems and a speech impediment.
Mackenzie added that Henderson had cooperated fully with the police, adding: “I think there is a great deal of remorse on his part that his loss of control had such a significant impact on another human.”
Defence agent Tommy Allan said that his client had no history of this kind of behaviour and the case had taken so long to reach court because of uncertainty about the extent of the injuries.
Sheriff Philip Man deferred sentence until 29 May, warning Henderson that he could be sent to jail for his actions.
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