Large fine and compensation after ‘one almighty punch’ left man with injuries
A MAN from Fraserburgh has been landed with a financial penalty of around £4,000 after admitting assaulting another man at a Lerwick bar, leaving him permanently impaired.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said it was “one almighty punch” that caused the man’s injuries.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that the victim suffered a broken nose and now has difficulty breathing through his nostrils.
Euan Faithfull, 24, of Boyndlie, admitted assaulting the man at the Trench Bar on 27 January by punching him on the head and striking his body, all to his injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the complainer was on a night out with friends at the bar, while Faithfull was socialising with former workmates.
He told court that at around 1.30am Faithfull was jumping up and down at the bar and bumped into a female friend of the complainer, who was dancing.
Mackenzie said Faithfull apologised and briefly engaged the woman in conversation.
The court heard that the complainer then placed both of his hands on Faithfull’s shoulders.
“There was no aggression in that at all,” Mackenzie said.
However, Faithfull then turned around and placed his left hand on the man’s shoulder before punching him in the middle of the face.
This caused the victim to stumble backwards, before he put out his hands in a submissive manner.
Other people in the bar intervened and prevented Faithfull from going back towards the other man. He was ultimately ejected from the premises and then stopped by police.
Mackenzie said CCTV showed that the complainer was “in no way threatening” to Faithfull.
The fiscal said the injuries sustained by the victim from the punch have had a “significant impact on his day to day life”, including issues with breathing through the nose.
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With the nose now being off centre Mackenzie said the victim has looked into reconstructive surgery, but there is a lengthy waiting list.
Faithfull’s defence agent Gregor Forbes said his client was “hugely remorseful” regarding the incident.
“He does take full responsibility for his actions,” he added.
The solicitor said the Aberdeen harbour worker had a “fright” when the other man’s hands were placed on his shoulders, causing him to act in the way he did.
He added that Faithfull has had issues with alcohol use but has stopped drinking since the incident.
The court was told that Faithfull wanted to say sorry to the complainer and express his “absolute regret”.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said despite the incident being short-lived, it was “one almighty punch” that caused the victim’s injuries.
He fined Faithfull £1,000 and ordered him to pay £3,000 in compensation. This reflected that the victim lost out financially on wages, had his clothes spoiled and was looking into private treatment.
The court also imposed a £40 victim surcharge fee.
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