Inverness man stamped on friend's head following fallout

A DISAGREEMENT between two friends after they had been drinking together led to one being stamped on the head.

The violent attack outside 33-year-old Andrew McLeish’s home in Gilbert Street, Inverness, on June 25, 2021 was witnessed and police were called to the scene.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that an ambulance had to be called to take the victim to the city’s Raigmore Hospital where he needed three stitches over his left eye.

McLeish admitted assault to injury and was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work as an alternative to prison. He was also placed under 18 months of social work supervision.

Defence solicitor Marc Dickson told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald that the two men had been drinking during the day and McLeish went home to sleep it off.

“His recollection is hindered by the amount of alcohol he had taken,” Mr Dickson said. “The victim attended at his home presumably to carry on drinking and they had a fall-out. He bitterly regrets that.”

Fiscal depute Susan Love told the court that McLeish and the other man had a scuffle and the victim fell to the ground.

“McLeish lifted his left foot and stamped on his head,” she said. “Two witnesses called the police. McLeish lifted him to his feet and they went back to the flat.

“An ambulance was called and the casualty was taken to Raigmore Hospital where he needed three stitches over his left eye.”

Mr Dickson said that his client believed that there would be no lasting effect on their friendship.