A Fife man who left a reveller requiring stitches inside and outside his mouth after an assault at St Andrews University’s student union has been ordered to remain indoors between 8pm and 6am.
Drunken Paul Scott used his head to break a broken glass into victim Richard Markham Phillips’ face.
Scott (22), of Lovers Lane in Cupar, admitted butting Mr Phillips with his head, causing a glass to smash on his mouth. He sustained a cut to his own forehead as a result.
Cupar Sheriff Court heard Scott was on a night out with colleagues, and the assault occurred following a disagreement.
Depute fiscal Tracy Plant said Scott approached a friend of Mr Phillips.
“The accused, who was on a works night out, tried to strike up a conversation with a friend of the complainer. The complainer joined in and tried to speak to the accused.”
Matters quickly became somewhat heated and “words” were exchanged.
Ms Plant said Scott and Mr Phillips were seen to be “squaring up” to one another. Scott was not prepared to let the matter lie.
Ms Plant said, “The accused approached the complainer again as the complainer was drinking from a glass tumbler. When the complainer was about to take a drink, the accused butted him.
“He struck the glass, causing it to smash in the complainer’s face, with the result that the complainer was injured.”
The complainer was found to have sustained a cut to the corner of his mouth and other cuts on its inside.
“He was taken to Ninewells and received two stitches to the outside of his mouth and four to the inside of his mouth,” Ms Plant said. “The accused himself sustained a cut to his forehead.”
Solicitor Alan Davie described Scott as a “genuine” first offender.
“He recalls a fairly demeaning comment being made to him along the lines that he was a servant or something similar,” Mr Davie said.
Sentencing, Sheriff Mungo Bovey took into account the fact Scott was genuinely remorseful and that he had previously been of good character.
Sentence was deferred for six months for good behaviour and he was ordered to remain indoors between 8pm and 6am meanwhile. Scott was also ordered to pay compensation of £250 to his victim.