A Monifieth teenager who attacked a man in broad daylight after an alleged dispute on Facebook has been told he could be facing a spell in a young offenders’ institution.
Ben McNeill’s victim was so badly injured following the assault on December 3 last year that he required treatment at two hospitals and was subsequently discovered to be suffering from a dislocated shoulder.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told Arbroath Sheriff Court that the victim had noticed 19-year-old McNeill, of Elmgrove, and another man approaching as he walked along Abbey Street, Arbroath, on the afternoon in question and had tried to “change direction” because of “previous altercations” with the pair.
The second man challenged the victim to fight and he replied that he did not want to before the pair began to attack him regardless.
Ms Drummond said they punched the complainer on the head, pushed him to the ground and repeatedly kicked him on the body.
She added, “The complainer felt that his shoulder may be dislocated and he then curled into a ball, where he felt several kicks on his back.
“Witnesses observed that they clearly saw McNeill kicking the complainer several times.”
Ms Drummond said the attack had only ceased when a nearby householder knocked on her window to distract McNeill and his companion and the pair fled.
The victim was then taken by police to Arbroath Infirmary, before being moved to Ninewells Hospital where the shoulder injury was confirmed.
McNeill, who is profoundly deaf, admitted his involvement in the attack via an interpreter when questioned by police.
His solicitor Lynn Sturrock said the incident had been triggered by a comment made on Facebook about the accused’s girlfriend and that her client had “resorted to violence on impulse.”
Sheriff Derek Pyle told McNeill that he would consider imposing either a custodial disposal or a restriction of liberty order. He will be sentenced on May 31.