A Mearns teenager ended up in “deep trouble” after CCTV captured a brutal bar assault against another youth.
Aidan Butler from Laurencekirk was “lucky not to kill” Aidan Adams by assaulting him on the floor of Sharkys in Montrose after the town’s annual music festival.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the 18-year-old, who was 17 at the time of the incident, had tried to shake the man’s hand over a prior disagreement before punching him and repeatedly kicking him on the head and body on May 28.
Sheriff Gregor Murray watched footage of the attack and told the first offender his “full-blooded” kicks could have killed Mr Adams, who escaped with a head wound that needed four stitches.
Fiscal depute Bill Kermode said the complainer and a friend had been out during the MoFest and went to the pub.
“At around 12.40am witness Adams was on the ground floor when the accused approached him and attempted to shake hands for a previous incident,” he said.
“The complainer refused and the accused asked him outside to fight, which was refused.
“Witnesses Adams…was on the dance floor when the accused approached, punched him and he ended up on the ground, where he was kicked to the head and body.”
Defence agent Nick Markowski said his client left the scene in George Street and broke two bones in his foot falling from a shed.
“There’s a sort of historical rivalry between Montrose youths and Laurencekirk youths, and Mr Butler was with a group from Laurencekirk,” he added.
“It was extremely busy in Montrose, with a lot of young people.
“Mr Butler wasn’t particularly looking for trouble.
“He tries to shake the complainer’s hand and that is rebuffed.
“He’s not sure exactly what happened when he’s left the scene.
“He’s disappointed with himself, and he and his mother are very worried about the outcome of this.”
Butler, of Buchan Court, was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in one year, as an alternative to detention.
Sheriff Murray asked Butler: “Did you see the CCTV?
“You are extremely fortunate you did not kill him.
“You aimed two full-blooded kicked at his head and a custodial sentence would be merited…but a combination of your background and your age just saves you from jail.”
