Brothers from Montrose ended up in court together after one attacked a man in Angus and the other intimidated him into not reporting it to police.
Teenager Sean Docherty punched his victim around 20 times, before his brother John left the man so scared he and his family fled to temporary accommodation.
After Commonwealth bronze-medal winning boxer John Docherty also admitted a separate assault, the sheriff suggested he may be “something of an enforcer”.
The two men will be sentenced in July when background reports have been prepared.
John, 27, and 19-year-old Sean appeared together in the dock at Dundee Sheriff Court.
The younger brother admitted that on May 12 last year, he assaulted a man on Swan Street in Brechin by repeatedly punching him on the head and body.
The assault left the man severely injured, permanently impaired and permanently disfigured, according to the charge.
John Docherty, who won bronze for Scotland in the 2018 Gold Coast games, pled guilty to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice five days later.
Offences
Prosecutor Emma Farmer told the court Sean Docherty’s victim had been driving and was spotted by the brothers, who were drunkenly crossing the road.
Sean Docherty went to the car and punched the driver approximately 20 times.
He suffered a snapped tendon and bruised ribs and continues to suffer discomfort.
Five days later, John Docherty followed the man his brother assaulted, overtook him and parked his van to block him in.
He asked if the man had gone to the police about the assault and was told he had not.
Frightened, the man put his car in gear but Docherty told him: “If you put that car in gear, I’ll f***ing kill you.”
The court heard the man, his pregnant partner and their child have fled to temporary accommodation.
The older brother admitted another assault which happened on Christmas Day 2024 at Erskine Place in Montrose.
He seized a male by the throat and repeatedly punched him on the head and body, injuring him.
Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith noted the incident was filmed and said: “There seems to be a pattern developing that would suggest Mr Doherty was something of an enforcer.”
Awaiting sentence
John Docherty’s solicitor explained his client’s wife is due to give birth to their third child next week.
He explained Docherty is a self-employed roofer, who works primarily in the Aberdeen area.
Jim Laverty, appearing for Sean Docherty, who is employed by his father, said his client has since given up drinking.
The brothers, both of Lochside Crescent in Montrose, will be sentenced on July 18 after background reports have been prepared.
Sheriff Niven-Smith said “custody is almost inevitable” for John Docherty.
Another attack
Three days before their hearing, both men appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court in relation to another matter.
While John Docherty’s not guilty plea was accepted, Sean Docherty admitted that on March 2 last year, he repeatedly pursued a stranger on High Street and New Wynd in Montrose.
He then punched him on the head and body, leaving him with cuts on his nose and lip.
He will be sentenced for that offence on July 1.
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