Inverness hostel receptionist attacked while on duty
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Inverness Sheriff Court hears hostel member of staff gave up work after being attacked by a would-be guest.
The court was told that the 23-year-old man sustained a broken nose in the attack which happened when he refused admission to Tomasz Bohun because he was barred from the premises.
The victim told Sheriff Gary Aitken he was working at reception in Inverness Backpackers Hostel, Rose Street on January 28 when Bohun (37) came up the stairs.
He went to let Bohun know he was not allowed in and was turning away from him when he was attacked from behind.
The court heard he was struck two or three times on the face, he thought with a fist.
He tried to put some distance between himself and Bohun and with his nose bleeding went off to the lounge looking for help.
He said he had worked at the hostel for two years.
He went to Accident and Emergency at Raigmore Hospital where he was told they would have to wait until the swelling went down to have his nose reset because it was misaligned.
"I've completely lost my sense of smell but they were able to straighten my nose," he said.
"I left the job after one more week because I no longer felt safe and didn't want to go back."
Bohun, who appeared from custody having failed to appear for an earlier calling of the case, originally pleaded guilty to assault but later claimed he had been acting in self defence.
Conducting his own defence and speaking through an interpreter he claimed that he had stayed at the hostel before and wanted to book in for another week.
He said he got on with all the other staff but that his victim was "jealous" of him.
He claimed the man tried to push him away and he sustained the injury as he raised his hands to defend himself.
Despite this Sheriff Gary Aitken said he was satisfied from the evidence that he was guilty of the assault.
Bohun admitted previous convictions, which included three for assault.
He gave an address at Cables Wynd House, Edinburgh, and was released on bail.
Sentence was deferred for background reports until October 17.
