Three Inverness men locked up over a series of assaults which a sheriff has described as showing "a gratuitous level of violence"
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A trio of men from Inverness have been locked up over a string of assaults that a sheriff said showed a "gratuitous level of violence".
Daniel Stewart (25), Kieran Drummond (19) and George Stewart (also 19) were led to the cells up after admitting carrying out the attacks on three individuals - one of who was only 16-year-old at the time.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told the assaults took place on Clava Road, Hilton, on June 15, 2019.
The trio all pled guilty to carrying out an assault to injury on the 16-year-old by repeatedly pushing him causing him to fall over before stamping on his head and body.
Drummond admitted a further charge of assault to severe injury involving another man on the same date which resulted in severe bruising, significant swelling to and a facial fracture.
Finally George Stewart admitted a further assault to severe injury.
It involved a woman whose handbag was taken after being pushed to the ground and striking her head.
The court heard all three men had tried to turn their lives around in the intervening period - staying away from alcohol misuse.
Defence advocate Clare Russell said the first named accused Stewart, of the city's Aird Avenue had voluntarily undergone rehabilitation work.
She said her other client George Stewart, of Knocknagael, Slackbuie Road, had also been working on getting back into employment and making amends.
Marc Dickson, representing Drummond of Old Mill Road, Milton, said his client also had a "dramatically different life from that of the time of the offence".
The court heard the court case had been delayed several times due to the pandemic striking.
Mr Dickson said his client would also like to personally apologise for his involvement in the incident.
Both defence agents asked Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald to consider a high level community payback order given the length of time since the attacks and the work the men had undertaken to better themselves.
However the sheriff listed the injuries of the victims and added that their behaviour "showed a gratuitous level of violence" and must be marked with custodial sentences.
David Stewart was sentenced to nine months, Drummond 11 months and the third accused Stewart also 11 months.
