A Carnoustie man who smashed a glass on the head of a German tourist before carrying out a brutal assault on an English golf fan in the lead up to July’s summer’s Open Championship has avoided jail.
Inebriated Lemmy Milne launched the attacks on his two innocent victims as they drank in a pub close to the famous Angus links just days ahead of the record-breaking tournament teeing off.
The 21-year-old fired a glass across the bar at the town’s 19th Hole, cutting the head of Josef Zilhman, then punched second victim John McKean before kicking him in the head in an incident branded “wholly abhorrent” by a sheriff.
Milne, from Carnoustie, must now pay compensation to both men as part of a sentencing package which included hundreds of hours unpaid work and an electronic tag for the next six months.
The engineering firm operator, of Balfour Place, Carnoustie, pleaded guilty to culpably and recklessly throwing the glass and striking Mr Zilhman at the hostelry on July 14, and assaulting Mr McKean, to the injury of both men.
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan told Forfar Sheriff Court the offences happened around 1am, when the German visitor was in the bar with friends.
“The accused was at the other end of the bar, picked up a glass and threw it in the direction of the complainer, striking him on the head and causing a one centimetre laceration,” said the fiscal.
“The accused left the bar and on his way outside got into a disagreement with the other complainer, lunged forward and punched him. The complainer tried to defend himself and fell to the ground on his hands and knees and the accused kicked him in the head.”
The court heard both men were treated by paramedics at the scene.
Milne’s agent said his client recognised his liberty was at risk and the incident had made him “come to his senses”.
“He was totally intoxicated, that is his only explanation,” said the solicitor.
Sheriff Derek Reekie told Milne: “This behaviour was totally and utterly despicable.
“The visitors were here no doubt for The Open golf. One ended up getting hit on the head with a glass and you then picked on another man for no reason whatsoever.
“There is no suggestion there are any mitigating circumstances at all.”
He added: “It is only because of your age, your limited record and that you are in employment that I am persuaded there is an alternative to custody, but it must be a significant package of options for such wholly abhorrent behaviour.”
Milne was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Mr Zilhman and £750 to Mr McKean.
He must also complete 225 hours of unpaid work under an 18-month Community Payback Order and is to be the subject of a six-month Restriction of Liberty Order, confining him to his home from 7pm to 7am daily.
