Two Forfar thugs attacked a Blairgowrie man and his friend after seemingly becoming incensed that the pair were from another town.
Wannabe-town-defenders David Henderson and Scott Skinner were chided in court by Sheriff Derek Reekie and asked to leave ahead of their sentencing by the clerk due to their constant chatting.
The court heard how the pair were restrained by the two men they attacked before a raging Henderson was taken back to his mother’s house by police.
Skinner was told he had avoided a prison sentence “by the skin of his teeth” after admitting kicking Mr Donaldson in the face and breaking his nose.
The 22-year-old lashed out while being pinned down by the second Blairgowrie man during the late-night fracas at the Old Masons Arms on East High Street.
Triggered ‘extremely aggressive’ response
The Forfar pair had been chatting to Mr Donaldson and his friend outside the night-spot just after midnight in August last year.
The court heard all had been well until it was mentioned Mr Donaldson and his companion were from the Perthshire town of Blairgowrie, which caused Henderson to become “extremely aggressive”.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “Mr Donaldson and his friend had left the Old Masons Arms and were on East High Street, at around 12.10am.
“They spoke with the accused Henderson and Skinner and were on friendly terms.
“A few moments later they said they were from Blairgowrie on a night out.
“This caused an extremely aggressive reaction from Henderson toward Mr Donaldson and his friend.
“He pushed Mr Donaldson to the chest, with both hands and continued to act aggressively.
“Mr Donaldson restrained Henderson to the ground.”
She said: “At this time, Skinner ran toward Mr Donaldson and kicked him to the face.
“Skinner continued to lash out, shout and swear.
“He then punched Mr Donaldson to the face, which caused the other man to restrain him.”
Skinner shouted: “If you don’t let me go, I will kill you.”
Mr Donaldson’s friend – who was not named in court – allowed Skinner to get up.
“At this point, Mr Donaldson was covered in blood,” said the fiscal depute.
“It appears the incident was picked up by police CCTV.”
Restrained by police
Police officers were called to the scene.
They found Henderson, 23, and Skinner, but their victims had already left.
“Both accused were screaming and shouting,” said Ms Drummond. “Officers noted Henderson was more aggressive and he required to be restrained.
“Henderson was placed in handcuffs until he calmed down.
“He continued to shout and swear.”
She said: “Police took Henderson home to leave him in the care of his sister.
“He began shouting and screaming at police. He was given numerous warnings.
“On his way to the police vehicle he continued to shout ‘f*** you all’.”
‘A bit of growing to do’
The court heard Mr Donaldson’s nose was broken and might require surgery.
Defence solicitor Nick Markowski, appearing for chef Henderson, said: “He has no clear recollection of what happened.
“He was extremely drunk.
“He has a bit of growing up to do.”
Solicitor Billy Rennie, for Skinner, said: “He became involved because he saw his friend on the floor.
“It was not self defence – he did kick him on the face.
“He was drunk.”
Sheriff Reekie took a dim view on the pair, and said: “Henderson, you are in a different position to Skinner. You were on a slippery slope but you have managed to change.
“Skinner, I have more of a problem with you. You seemed quite pleased with yourself as the narration was read to the court.
“You should be utterly ashamed of yourself.”
The sheriff added: “It is only because of your age I am persuaded there is an alternative to custody.
“It is by the skin of your teeth you are not going to jail.”
Skinner, of Priory Court, Forfar, was sentenced to 12 months supervision for the assault, and placed on a Restriction of Liberty curfew for 162 days.
He was given a further 54 days curfew in relation to another matter: Acting in a threatening and abusive manner on Priory Court in October 2021.
Henderson, of Newtonmill, Forfar, was sentenced to 75 hours community service for the pub fracas and fined £580 for being involved in the threatening and abusive matter on Priory Court in October 2021.
