A man has been left unable to bend a finger after a brutal assault in a Perth pub.
Gary Lloyd, 46, punched the man twice and broke one of his fingers when the victim put his hands up to defend himself, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
Depute Fiscal Bill Kermode said the complainer was in the “busy” Robert Burns Lounge in County Place at 10.30pm when he overhead an argument involving the accused.
“The complainer intervened and this appeared to be successful,” he said.
“However, the accused then punched the man who put his arms up to protect himself.”
The court heard the victim had bruises to both arms and pain in a finger.
Mr Kermode said medical staff at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee found the finger was broken and the complainer had to undergo surgery, during which he had two pins inserted.
“The man then underwent physiotherapy,” Mr Kermode continued.
“However, the finger is very stiff and he can’t fully bend it back.”
The court heard the injury had taken a significant toll on the victim.
“It’s really affected his life,” Mr Kermode explained.
“He doesn’t go out socialising any more and struggles to play the guitar.”
Solicitor Cliff Culley, defending, said the accused, from Sunderland, had been having “banter” with a man and was not arguing.
“My client accepts he punched the man twice,” he said.
“However, he is remorseful for his actions.”
Lloyd admitted that on August 15 last year he punched the man in the pub to his injury and permanent disfigurement.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis sentenced Lloyd to prison for 12 months.
