A man who stabbed his best friend during an argument was reduced to tears after being sentenced to 13 months in prison.
George Cosmin Dodenci, 31, from Romania, wept and blessed himself while standing in the dock as Sheriff Gregor Murray handed down the sentence at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
Dodenci had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting his long-time friend Florin Vasile Rada with a knife during a “heated argument” on the strawberry fields of East Scryne Farm in Carnoustie on October 1 last year.
The court heard how Dodenci had come to Scotland in May 2013 with the intention of working until November that year to save money for his wedding, planned in his homeland for later this year.
Mr Rada had arranged the trip for Dodenci and organised work for him in the UK as a picker for an Angus farmer. The pair had been friends since their early teens.
Defence agent Billy Rennie said: “Early in the morning they argued about the work they were doing but that settled down.
“It then seemed to start up again and he accepts that things were said by both of them.
“The complainer ended up striking him and blows were struck from both parties. Mr Dodenci was knocked to the ground and punched to the head.
“He recalls getting up and fighting back and accepts that during the course of that, the knife was used.
“He doesn’t recall the use of it and only had it in his possession for work purposes. The consequence of this was that the police came and the complainer was taken to Ninewells.
“He had two 1cm wounds which were closed up using stitching and glue and no follow up treatment was required.
“Throughout all of this he has been hugely remorseful and regretful, and has found himself in prison when he may have been entitled to bail or a consideration of other sentences.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray said: “Any person who stabs another person using a knife is likely to face only one sentence and you are no different.
“However, Mr Rennie has said that the offence occurred in the heat of an argument and was not planned.”
Dodenci’s sentence was back dated to October 2.