A teenager will be sentenced next month for a brutal attack in which he assaulted a man who had just pushed an Angus pub landlady to the ground.
Conor Simpson was among a group of men outside the Lochside Bar in Montrose when the pre-Christmas bust-up developed.
It involved James Forbes, who had just been refused entry to the pub, but when he then took offence and pushed the female mine host, Simpson landed punches on the 48-year-old and then kicked him after he had stumbled to the ground.
The attack was captured on CCTV, the footage of which was shown to Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday after 18-year-old Simpson admitted an indictment alleging the assault on Forbes at North Esk Road on December 20.
Fiscal depute Joanne Smith said the accused was known to the owners of the bar but not his victim, who had been drinking with friends at his home during that day.
Mr Forbes’ friends then left the house to purchase tobacco and when they didn’t return, he went to look for them.
The two friends tried to enter the pub at about 11pm but were put out on to the street, where they were joined by Forbes.
The fiscal said the complainer was then prevented from entering the bar and pushed the landlady with some force, causing her to fall to the ground.
She went inside, told others what had happened and the incident involving Simpson took place.
The CCTV footage showed Forbes being hit and then, when he lunged towards the accused, losing his balance and falling into the roadway, where he was kicked heavily by Simpson on the body.
The victim was taken to Ninewells accident and emergency, where he was treated for swelling around his right eye and abrasions to his face.
The court heard Mr Forbes also sustained an eight-centimetre cut to his head but it was accepted that had been as a result of him falling to the ground. The complainer was not kept in hospital.
The accused was traced at his home a couple of days later and when interviewed by police said: “I remember hitting him but not kicking him.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said he noted that the accused had pled guilty to a reduced indictment and was appearing before the court as a first offender.
He deferred sentence on Simpson until April 16 for a criminal justice social work report to be obtained.