A 33-year-old industrial electrician has avoided jail after hitting another man over the head with a glass during a disturbance at a Lerwick pub, but has instead been sentenced to pay a large fine.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that the assault took place in the Douglas Arms pub on the night of an Old Firm football match, creating a tense atmosphere.
But financial prosecutor Duncan Mackenzie said in his account of the case that it was not clear exactly what sparked the disturbances that led to the assault.
David Houston, of High Street, Johnston, pleaded guilty to assault on September 3, 2022.
McKenzie said Houston and his victim ended up in the vestibule area with other unknown people also involved.
Houston admitted to hitting his victim hard on the head, causing minor injuries.
Houston’s attorney, Mr. Maloney, said his client and his co-workers at the wind farm construction site were on vacation and had consumed excessive amounts of alcohol.
He said his client had been mistreated by the victim before being assaulted.
He said Houston had previous convictions of a similar nature and Sheriff Ian Cruickshank would be entitled to consider imposing a custodial sentence.
However, the lawyer said Houston appeared to be remorseful for what he did, and would file a lawsuit as soon as possible. He is also working with the Alcoholics Anonymous organization to address his alcoholism problem.
The 33-year-old self-employed man earns a substantial income and has worked across the UK and Europe, Maloney said.
Police Chief Constable Ian Cruickshank said the use of glass in the assault on the victim was “extremely serious” but also described the circumstances of the assault as “unusual”.
The court fined Houston £3,000 and ordered him to pay £175 in compensation to the victim. In addition, the court also ordered Houston to pay £1,000 in compensation to the victim.
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