Inverness man facing custodial sentence for knocking two men unconscious
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Jack Mackenzie (20) had been on bail since the incident in December 2019.
The court was obliged by law to order a background report before sentencing because Jack Mackenzie is aged under 21.
This week he was remanded in custody while that is prepared.
At Inverness Sheriff Court Sheriff Margaret Neilson revoked his bail because of the seriousness of the two assaults he pleaded guilty to.
The court heard how Mackenzie, of Hawthorn Drive, had attacked two teenagers near Thornbush Road on December 27, 2019 after they had bought alcohol and cigarettes in the local Spar shop.
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said there was no explanation for Mackenzie’s violent behaviour after he made an innocuous comment to the pair.
He punched Keiran Duffy, then aged 18, repeatedly to the head and body and continued even when his unconscious victim was on the ground.
As Mr Duffy’s pal, Daniel Graham, also then aged 18, bent down to check his friend, Mackenzie punched him to the back of the head, causing him to lose consciousness.
Mackenzie then banged Mr Duffy’s head on the pavement.
Both men were taken to hospital where CT scans revealed a fracture to a bone between Mr Duffy’s neck and skull and a brain injury to Mr Graham.
Neither men required surgery although Mr Duffy was kept in hospital for three days and Mr Graham for six days.
Mr Graham suffered memory problems, irritability, anxiety and depression plus a lack of appetite. He had sensitivity to light and feels unsafe going out in Inverness, Ms Eastwood continued.
Sentence was deferred until February 7 with defence solicitor Clare Russell reserving her comments until then.
