A drunken Angus man who left his headbutt victim requiring surgery to his nose and treatment for chipped teeth has been fined £500.
Lewis Dunn was in the busy smoking area of Busby’s nightclub in Montrose shortly before 2am when martial arts expert Steven Pirie came into his path.
Unprovoked, the 22-year-old lunged towards Mr Pirie and in a single butt captured on CCTV, left him with injuries which Forfar Sheriff Court heard are still causing him breathing difficulties from one side of his nose.
Sentence had previously been deferred on Dun, of Hill Road, Hillside after he admitted the attack on March 28 last year in what a shocked sheriff branded a “particularly nasty” incident after viewing footage from the club cameras.
But the newly-qualified commercial commercial electrician escaped a jail term after the court heard he had stayed out for trouble for the year since the assault – and may have been lucky to avoid “summary justice” from the man he picked on.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said Mr Pirie was left with a deviated septum and three chipped teeth following the 1.40am incident.
“He was referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist and still suffers from breathing difficulties that may require further treatment,” said the fiscal.
Dunn was also bleeding from his nose but ignored a staff member who asked what had happened and left the premises.
Defence solicitor Nick Markowski said Dunn had gone to the club after being at a family 30th birthday party, but had little recollection of events.
“It is out of character for him and he is apologetic for what happened. It appears words may have been exchanged, but neither of them can recollect what was said.”
He added: “Instinctively, and disinhibited by alcohol, he headbutts the complainer.
“I am told the complainer is a mixed martial arts fighter and my client is perhaps fortunate that it all ended fairly quickly or else there may have been an element of summary justice.”
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown told Dunn: “It seems alcohol has played a large part in this offence and you have shown remorse. I am satisfied a financial penalty is appropriate.”
