A Forfar man who bit a pub landlord’s finger in a vicious attack avoided custody on Thursday despite the fact that his victim was hospitalised after the incident.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard that Colin Ogilvie, who owns the town’s Tolbooth Bar, was subjected to the assault by Michael Bell who went “haywire” during a disturbance at the pub on February 28.
Bell (24), of Threewells Drive, had been drinking with friends in the bar when a glass was smashed.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said Mr Ogilvie had wrongly assumed that Bell was the culprit and removed his drink.
However, when he realised his error he apologised to Bell and asked if he could replace the drink but Bell took offence and began to swear at him.
Ms Kennedy said that when Mr Ogilvie then went to usher Bell from the premises Bell “seized (Mr Ogilvie’s) hand and bit his finger.”
She added that Bell only released Mr Ogilvie when a bystander pulled Bell’s nose to remove Mr Ogilvie’s finger from his mouth.
Bell “eventually” left the premises but Mr Ogilvie’s wound became so badly infected that he required an operation.
Ms Kennedy said police records confirmed the victim spent four nights in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, something which was earlier disputed by Bell.
Defence agent Bob Bruce said his client was normally “polite” and “affable” but that the incident had occurred due to his destructive relationship with alcohol.
He said, “The accused is not a bad person as such. It’s just that when he drinks everything seems to go a bit haywire.”
Mr Bruce also said that Bell “actually plays a useful part in the community” as he is a member of a local football team and a responsible father to his two children, aged seven and five.
He asked Sheriff Kevin Veal to consider an alternative to custody, as Bell had been offered a job in Ireland which he hoped to take up once the court proceedings were complete.
Sheriff Veal fined Bell £750 for the attack, modified from £950 due to his early guilty plea. Bell was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to his victim.
Sheriff Veal said he hoped the weight of the financial penalty would mean Bell had far less money to spend on alcohol.