Two men who carried out a frenzied assault in Forfar town centre have been told it was only through “good fortune” their victim escaped serious harm.
Derek Duncan was kicked, punched and stamped on as he lay curled up on the road in East High Street.
His attackers Lyndon Chapman and Morgan Robertson chased him down after an altercation outside a nearby pub.
The pair appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting Mr Duncan to his injury on June 13, last year.
Sheriff Robert More told both men: “When you kick someone to the head you don’t know how catastrophic the outcome is going to be.
“People end up in the high court for actions such as this.”
He said: “Its only a matter of good fortune that the complainer was not more seriously hurt.”
Caught on camera
The sheriff added: “You are both responsible young men but if you get into trouble like this again you can expect a more severe disposal.”
Robertson, 21, of Dundee Loan, Forfar, was fined £240 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Duncan.
Chapman, who also admitted smashing windows in two town centre shops, was sentenced to 40 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.
Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton told the court Mr Duncan was spotted by a group of friends arguing with Robertson.
“Efforts were made to separate both parties.
“Both accused then chased after the complainer to East High Street.
“There, he lost his footing and fell onto the road.”
The prosecutor said: “Whilst on the ground, his glasses were knocked from his face.
“Each accused kicked the complainer once to the head.
“He was repeatedly kicked and punched while he was on the ground.
“Mr Duncan tried his best to cover his face to protect it.
“The assault was broken up by persons unknown.”
Chapman and Robertson walked away from their victim, while witnesses called police.
“In terms of injuries, Mr Duncan suffered a sore neck and sore ribs,” the fiscal depute said.
“Both accused were later identified by CCTV.”
Broke foot falling off lamp post
Solicitor Nick Markowksi, defending, said: “It won’t surprise the court to hear that alcohol was involved.
“They have been out when they saw people involved in a fight.
“It appeared that one of the men was causing trouble.
“Whether it was the complainer or one of his friends was something that got lost in the alcohol-fuelled fracas.”
Mr Markowski said Robertson, an apprentice joiner, had recently broken his heel.
“Given that he injured himself by falling off a lamp post suggests there is perhaps still an alcohol issue,” he said.
Chapman, 19, of Dishlandtown Street, Arbroath, has moved away from the area and is now working in a fish factory.
“Both of them are aware that it was just luck that the complainer wasn’t more seriously hurt,” said Mr Markowski.
High kick to shop window
Chapman admitted a separate charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in East High Street five days after the assault.
Mr Hamilton told the court Chapman was seen on security camera walking along the High Street, kicking and punching shop fronts and bins.
He was filmed smashing the front door of a pet shop, causing about £580 of damage.
“The accused was seen jeering at cars passing by,” said Mr Hamilton.
“He then does a high kick into the window of GL Sports injury clinic.”
Chapman was ordered to pay £385 compensation to both businesses.
