Attacker stomped on man's head outside Inverness pub
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A MAN was attacked outside a pub when he left the premises for a cigarette.
Martin Wood grabbed his victim by the body, threw him against a car, knocking him unconscious.
After he fell to the ground, the 37-year-old stamped on Martin Robertson’s head causing swelling and grazing, but no fractures.
The offence took place on December 20 last year outside the Nip Inn in Grant Street, Inverness and was filmed on the bar’s CCTV.
Wood, described as an Inverness prisoner, admitted assault to injury.
Fiscal depute David Morton told Inverness Sheriff Court that the two men had a verbal argument in the pub and Wood was asked to leave.
“He left without issue and Mr Robertson remained within. But half-an-hour later he went outside for a cigarette and Wood was standing outside.
“He then grabbed him, threw his head against the rear of a parked car knocking Mr Robertson unconscious and causing him to fall. He then repeatedly stamped on his head.”
He added that a passer-by intervened and stopped the assault.
The court heard that when bar staff came out to see what was happening, they saw a motionless Mr Robertson.
After Wood was charged, he asked police: “How is he doing?”
Defence solicitor David Patterson asked Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald to call for a background report. The sheriff had previously indicated she would not proceed to sentence as she was reclusing herself “for various reasons”.
Mr Patterson said: “It has to be accepted that a custodial sentence will be at the forefront of the court’s mind in view of his record of convictions. But he is the father of a young child, his partner is training to be a nurse and he has made a real effort to curb his alcohol intake.
“He went to rehab and tried his best. There was a relapse here. He went for a couple of drinks and thought he could handle it.”
Sheriff Macdonald deferred sentence for a background report until May 7 for Sheriff Gary Aitken to deal with Wood, who she again remanded in custody.
