Spurned boyfriend from Muir of Ord broke innocent bystander’s jaw at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
A refusal to rekindle a relationship led to an innocent bystander suffering a broken jaw as the spurned boyfriend lashed out at a man on his mobile phone near him.
Michael Anderson's single punch caused significant damage to his victim's mouth which required surgery to insert three metal plates to fuse the same number of fractures.
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Fiscal depute Emily Hood told Sheriff Sara Matheson at Inverness Sheriff Court that the casualty also lost several teeth, was on a liquid diet for a long period and was off work for five months.
She added: "He was advised that numbness in his jaw may be permanent. He also experiences random pain across the bottom half of his teeth."
Anderson, of Burns Crescent, Muir of Ord admitted the assault to severe injury and permanent impairment which was committed at about 10.30pm at the Belladrum Music Festival on July 29, 2022.
Ms Hood said the 26-year-old was intoxicated and had been talking to his ex partner just before the attack.
"He became upset that she wouldn't resume their relationship,” she said. “She got up to walk away and the accused ran towards the man and punched him on the face once."
Sheriff Matheson deferred sentence until July 16 for a background report and a restriction of liberty assessment. She allowed Anderson's bail to continue.