Two Arbroath men were yesterday jailed for a “vicious and unprovoked” assault on a drinking pal that left their victim requiring surgery for a broken jaw.
Ryan Brander and Jamie Sim left John Plant battered and bleeding in the street after raining down blows on him following an all-day boozing session.
The pair then went back to a local pub where witnesses said they were “hyper”, but Brander quickly became consumed by guilt over his part in the attack and told his mother of the “terrible” offence.
Brander, 27, of Sycamore Path and Sim, 24, of Sidney Street appeared for sentence at Forfar on Thursday having previously admitted assaulting John Plant in Springfield Path, Arbroath on September 18, rendering him unconscious to his severe injury.
Brander was jailed for six months and Sim for nine months.
The court earlier heard that Mr Plant, a well-known Arbroath busker, was unknown to the accused before the day of the offence, but had spent hours drinking with them in pubs and at Sim’s home.
They then beat Plant, who was found by a passer-by sitting in the street near his home.
The victim required two metal plates to be inserted into his face to realign his broken cheekbones.
Brander’s agent, Billy Rennie said his client had shown considerable remorse over the attack and stopped drinking since that night.
He said social work reports had shown that the accused was easily led. Brander, who sat visibly shaking in the dock, was petrified of the possibility of a custodial sentence, added the agent.
“It has been suggested that there are members of the victim’s family seeking retribution and that may be visited upon him one way or another, possibly in a custodial setting,” said Mr Rennie.
Solicitor Hamish Watt, for Sim, said his client was now unemployed, having lost his job when the circumstances of the attack came to light.
He said that his client had no real recollection of the attack, other than to say he was very regretful of what he had done to the victim.
“He is a young man with a propensity for alcohol and this has been a severe awakening for him,” added Mr Watt.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told the duo: “You both pled guilty to what was a vicious, unprovoked assault on an older man, which resulted in a broken cheekbone.
“Neither of you showed the slightest concern afterwards and you simply left the street and went back to the pub. Witnesses there described you as hyper and you both boasted of the attack.”
Turning to Brander, the sheriff added: “You were easily led and I fully accept you have consistently expressed regret.”
Sheriff Murray noted Sim had an analogous conviction and an outstanding assault trial.
“You admit you are a binge drinker and admit you were the instigator. However, there has been no remorse until the preparation of this report before the court.
“This case is too serious to merit anything other than a custodial sentence, but it is appropriate to distinguish between the two of you.”