Inverness man suffered broken jaw after being attacked in city street court hears

AN Inverness man who became addicted to crack cocaine and heroin is to be assessed for a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) after admitting a serious assault.

Lee Dyce’s victim was attacked over an unpaid debt and had to have a metal plate surgically implanted to his fractured jaw to aid recovery, Inverness Sheriff Court heard previously.

He has been remanded in custody for several months but Sheriff Margaret Neilson agreed to release Dyce (34) on bail last week after he was deemed suitable to go to the next stage of a full DTTO assessment. It should be available by July 12.

Sentence had been deferred last month after defence solicitor Marc Dickson told the court of a “worrying development” in his client’s life.

He said: “He has a poor record, historically as a result of problems with alcohol. But he is now addicted to crack cocaine and heroin which is a worrying development. He is receiving medication while in prison.”

Dyce, described as an Inverness prisoner, pleaded guilty to assaulting Bertie Watson to his severe injury which occurred in an alley between Nelson Street and Madras Street, Inverness on July 12 last year.

Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Sheriff Neilson: “Mr Watson was returning home when he was approached by Dyce and another man and challenged about a debt owed to the other man.

“Dyce then punched Mr Watson on the face and knocked him to the ground. The victim fled and reported it to police as did other eye witnesses. He suffered cuts and bruises, a fractured jaw and damaged teeth.”