A call centre worker snapped over partying neighbours and fractured a man’s jaw with a single punch.
John Tasker returned to his Brechin home one night in June 2014 to find a rowdy party was going on in the block.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard Tasker and another fed-up neighbour went to the door of the flat to remonstrate but things kicked off with those inside and the 20-year-old ended up delivering the bone-breaking blow to Stephen Gibb’s head.
Tasker, of Park View, Brechin, appeared for sentence before Sheriff Pino Di Emidio having previously admitted an indictment of assaulting Mr Gibb by punching him to his severe injury on June 10 last year.
The accused’s defence agent said his client, who has one previous assault conviction, regretted the incident and had become ill through the stress of the court case.
“He had returned home and a party was taking place in the neighbour’s property where a great deal of drink had been taken, and potentially drugs, according to witness statements,” said the defence agent.
“Neighbours took it upon themselves to say ‘enough is enough, please and do not continue with this racket’.
“There were scuffles involving members of the party before Mr Tasker even came into the flat. Unfortunately, things got out of hand this was a matter of provocation rather than self-defence.
“He accepts that he could have done something else other than punch out at the victim he could have walked away.
“It was disproportionate and he regrets his excessive use of force.
“The injury caused is where this case takes on an extra level,” added the agent.
The court heard Tasker is keen to join the Army and although the court case had stalled his plans, it remains his intention to pursue a forces career.
“I would suggest that although this is an indictment matter, the fact it is a single punch is an important factor,” the lawyer added.
Sheriff Di Emidio imposed a one-year Community Payback Order on Tasker, including 230 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to imprisonment.