A man was knocked unconscious in a one-punch assault outside a Glenrothes nightclub.
Lee Herd attacked Aiden Davidson causing him to fall and hit his head on a kerb near Styx in the town’s Caskieberran Road during the early hours of September 3 2023.
His victim suffered a head fracture and small bleed to the brain, as well as permanent scarring to his nose.
Herd, of Cardenden Road, Cardenden, claimed he had felt threatened by the man and his brother.
The 33-year-old appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to admit assaulting the man to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Caught on CCTV
Prosecutor Jennifer Bairner told the court that around 9:50pm Mr Davidson and his brother had been drinking at the town’s Golden Acorn pub and made their way to Styx later that night.
The court heard that the area outside the club is covered by CCTV.
Both men were informed by door staff that they could not enter due to the time of the evening but they kept asking and were refused.
The pair tried to gain entry and this led to a “fight” with door staff, who then told them to leave.
A conversation then took place outside the club between Herd and the brothers.
The fiscal said that, while they spoke, Herd punched Mr Davidson “once to the left side of the face” and he fell back and struck the right side of his face on a kerb and fell onto the road on his back, rendering him unconscious.
Herd left the scene immediately and staff at the premises called for an ambulance.
Police also attended and saw the complainer with facial injuries.
The man was taken to Victoria Hospital for treatment.
Injuries
Injuries included a head fracture and small bleed to part of the brain and a chipped tooth.
He also reported permanent scarring to his nose as a result of the injury.
A victim impact statement was lodged with the court.
Defence lawyer Graham Inch said the two brothers were not known to Herd, who was outside the club waiting on a friend inside so they could share a taxi.
The solicitor said Herd advises he felt he was being “threatened” during the conversation with the brothers, who were stood “very close” to him, after they had been ejected and told to leave by door staff.
Mr Inch noted it was a single punch and suggested it was “poor behaviour” on the part of the complainer and brother in the lead up to the incident.
The lawyer said Herd accepts his conduct went “above and beyond” but that the consequences were not what he intended.
Mr Inch said his client was a “family man with a good job” and called for a social work report.
The solicitor said Herd has one relevant previous conviction from about eight years ago.
Sheriff Robert More adjourned sentencing until February 24 to obtain background reports and Herd’s bail was continued meantime.
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