Three Angus pals who set about a man in a drink-fuelled Brechin street fight have been sentenced.
The group were fined and ordered to pay their victim compensation after a court heard he had been lucky to escape with only minor injuries from an incident a sheriff said should leave the group considering their relationship with alcohol.
Appearing before Sheriff Kevin Veal at Forfar were Christopher Bremner, 21, of Lethnot Road, Edzell; David Milne, 23, of Christies Lane, Montrose, and Alexander Cheyne, 22, of Damacre Road, Brechin.
They each admitted a part in the assault on Grant Johnston at High Street and Market Street, Brechin, on April 7 last year.
Depute Jim Eodanable said the incident began just after 1am when Cheyne and the complainer started speaking to each other.
Matters moved to Market Street and Milne tripped up the victim before all three took part in the assault.
The incident was captured on CCTV.
The fiscal said: “The victim suffered some swelling and cuts on his wrist that appeared to be from the strap of his watch.”
The man did not require medical treatment.
Solicitor Nick Markowski, for Bremner, said it was a Saturday night out and all were “extremely intoxicated.”
“There was an argument inside a pub which spilled outside and it would have come to an end, but the cameras show that as the complainer is walking away he turns round, shouts at the group and is chased.
“His judgment was completely clouded by alcohol and through a misguided sense of loyalty he became involved.”
Sheriff Veal noted Milne had seven previous convictions. His solicitor, Bob Bruce, told the court: “Drink appears to get the better of him.”
Cheyne had become involved in what he now recognised was a “stupid and petty” incident.
Sheriff Veal said that because of the “different parts” of the incident he was able to make a distinction between the disposals for the accused.
He fined Bremner £300 and ordered him to pay £75 compensation.
Milne was fined £600 and ordered to pay £75 compensation and Cheyne fined £150, with £100 compensation.