A Fife man’s three-hour attack left a friend needing a titanium plate in his jaw.
Barefooted Samuel McCluskey was eventually caught during a rampage when he slipped on grass while chasing a dogwalker after threatening to steal her pet.
McCluskey was brought from HMP Perth to Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to admit two offences.
The 34-year-old pled guilty to a ruthless attack on drinking buddy Paul Reid, which left him at risk of potential neuropathic repercussions.
McCluskey had been drinking alcohol at his home in Albany Street, Dunfermline, in the company of recent friend Mr Reid on December 17.
Sustained attack
The two had been drinking from 7pm and all was well until around 10pm when Mr Reid made a comment about McCluskey’s son.
Fiscal depute Claire Bremner said: “This agitated the accused.
“The accused was intoxicated. His demeanour changed.
“He stood up as the complainer was going to leave the locus and repeatedly punched and kicked the complainer on the head and body.
“This went on, on and off, for around three hours.
“The accused eventually fell asleep.”
Mr Reid tried to leave again but McCluskey woke up and spat on his face.
Severely injured, Mr Reid made his way back to his own flat but was without a key, so curled up and went to sleep in the common close.
Around noon the next day, Mr Reid’s father arrived and saw him locked out and covered in blood.
He took his son home and phoned police and NHS 24. He was told to attend hospital immediately.
Mr Reid was unable to speak due to the pain he was in.
He had fractures on both sides of his jaw which required titanium plates.
He also had a fractured wrist, which doctors said was a defensive injury, and numbness in his lip due to nerve injury, a potential for neuropathic pain.
His ability to open his mouth and chew has been hampered.
Chased dogwalker
Meanwhile, McCluskey was continuing his reign of terror on other residents.
At noon on December 18, he was spotted banging on windows in Albany Street and caught the attention of a female dog walker.
McCluskey approached and said: “I know this dog.”
He tried to stroke the dog but missed and became irate.
The woman walked away but he followed, shouting and swearing.
McCluskey said: “I’m going to take that dog off you in five minutes” and “I’m going to do you in, you wee posh b****.”
She tried to leave but barefoot McCluskey gave chase before slipping on wet grass.
She contacted her partner and then the police.
Jailed before
Defence solicitor Christine Hagan said: “It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that Mr McCluskey has had some significant issues with substance and alcohol consumption.
“He has had a short prison sentence in the past.
“He recognises that this is a serious matter.
“It seems that he has behaved, in the context of these offences, very badly. He apologises for that.”
Sheriff Alastair Brown described the attack as “an assault over an extended period of time”.
“You inflicted significant pain.
“You inflicted very serious injuries.
“You inflicted damage that will have long-lasting, permanent effects on Mr Reid and that offence is to be regarded as very serious.”
The sheriff said McCluskey’s level of intoxication when he chased the dogwalker was “no excuse”.
McCluskey admitted assaulting Mr Reid to his severe injury and permanent impairment and acting in a manner “likely to cause fear or alarm” the next day.
For the attack, Sheriff Brown jailed McCluskey for 39 months.
For chasing the dogwalker, he was sentenced to a further 15 months.
