A woman has been told she will struggle to eat properly for the rest of her life after her jaw was broken as she tried to stop a brawl.
Good Samaritan Rhoda Chrystall was trying to break up a fight outside a pub in Newburgh when she was caught in the face by Thomas Walker. The force of the blow was so great that her jaw was broken in two places.
Cupar Sheriff Court heard metal plates have been permanently inserted in her face. Doctors have told Ms Chrystall she will suffer discomfort while eating for the rest of her life.
Walker, of Elvington Road in York, was warned he could be jailed after he admitted a charge of culpable and reckless conduct outside the Ship Hotel in Newburgh on February 13.
The court heard the 22-year-old electrical engineer had been at a party organised by his grandfather when an argument broke out between parties including the accused’s brother.
”Initially the accused calmed down the argument,” depute fiscal Brian Robertson said. ”However, the disagreement later continued outside on the High Street and the accused became involved.
”Several blows were struck and … the complainer (Ms Chrystall) then intervened along with another person to try and split up the fight,” he continued.
”The accused struck her in the face as he was swinging his arms. It is accepted that it was not his intention to hit her specifically but it happened as he was fighting with the other person.”
Mr Robertson described it as a ”very significant” blow. He said medical teams had since screwed two plates into Ms Chrystall’s jaw in a bid to hold it together.
”The plates will remain in place for life,” the depute fiscal continued. ”The complainer still has ongoing problems with her jaw and finds it difficult to eat. She has been told by doctors that the situation will never improve.”
Mr Robertson said one of Ms Chrystall’s teeth was also damaged.
Solicitor Martin McGuire said Walker had initially tried to break up an argument.
”He had been attending at a gathering organised by his grandfather when this happened. Initially he had led his brother away from an argument … and only became involved himself later on.”
Mr McGuire asked for Walker to be release on bail prior to sentencing.
”I would ask that he be allowed his liberty meantime as he works full-time as an electrical engineer,” he added.
Sheriff Charles Macnair deferred sentence until November 3 for reports. He allowed Walker bail meantime, but warned him that a period behind bars remained a realistic sentencing option when he returns to court in three weeks.
”Bail is continued pending reports, but that is not necessarily an indication of what may happen,” the sheriff said.