Inverness duo jailed after revenge attack

Two Inverness men who repeatedly punched and kicked another man in broad daylight have each been jailed for nine months.

But Sean Pierce (32) and Michael Stewart (24) will be released imminently as Inverness Sheriff Court was told they had been in custody since November 19 and 20 last year.

Both men appeared by video link and admitted assaulting their victim to his injury on October 12, 2020.

However, Sheriff Margaret Neilson heard that it was a revenge attack and that both men had handed themselves in to police on hearing that they were being sought.

Defence solicitor John MacColl told the court that Pierce had been assaulted with a weapon by the man previously and there was concern at him being in the vicinity of his partner's home in Skinner Court. That alleged attack has still to come to court, Mr MacColl believed.

Pierce, who lives separately in Balvonie Street, Inverness, reported the man to the police that same day.

"My client had a chance encounter with him, was spat upon, and his bike and mobile phone were damaged. He did the right thing and contacted the police. Then when he later saw him near his partner's home, he lost his temper for a short time." Mr MacColl went on.

Stewart, of Bridgeview Drive, Inverness was represented by Willie Young, who said: "His cousin is Mr Pierce's partner and she was also a victim of an assault at the hands of the same man. My client was on his way to see his cousin when he met Mr Pierce, who told him what had happened earlier. They then saw this man in the near vicinity, there was a robust exchange between all three and matters escalated."