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Dingwall youth attacked man with metal pole





Sheriff Margaret Neilson called for social work reports on Gray.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson called for social work reports on Gray.

A DINGWALL youth left another man in fear of his life after he came to his door and started attacking him with a metal pole, a court has heard.

The victim pleaded with his attacker to stop, but Connor Gray kept on punching and kicking him and hitting him with the pole for nearly half an hour.

One of the blows gashed Douglas Williamson’s forehead to the bone and left him with a permanent scar, Inverness Sheriff Court was told.

Gray (19), of Station Road, appeared on indictment and pleaded guilty to assaulting Douglas Williamson to his injury and permanent disfigurement. The charge stated that he repeatedly struck him on the head and body with a metal pole and repeatedly kicked and punched him on the head and body.

The attack took place in Mr Williamson’s home in Dunain Road, Inverness, on August 1 last year.

Depute fiscal Michelle Molley said that at the time of the offence Gray was in a relationship with Mr Williamson’s former partner, Samantha McLaren.

That evening at their home in Dingwall there had been a discussion between Gray and Miss McLaren concerning Mr Williamson. Gray later told her he was going to Inverness, but did not say why.

He got a lift to Inverness and arrived at Mr Williamson’s home about 10.45pm, the fiscal said.

Mr Williamson opened his door to Gray and without warning was struck on the forehead with a metal pole. Bleeding profusely, he stepped back into his hallway and Gray followed him.

Gray was shouting about money – referring to a financial arrangement between Miss McLaren and Mr Williamson.

Again he struck his victim on the forehead with the pole and Mr Williamson retreated into his bedroom "in fear of his life", the fiscal said.

He was followed Gray, who struck him a further three times on the back of the head. As he had his back to Gray, Mr Williamson was unsure if he was being punched or hit with the pole.

Mr Williamson crouched down against the bedroom wall and pleaded with the accused to stop, but Gray continued punching him on the head and body.

The assault only stopped when Mr Williamson got to his feet. Gray left the house and Mr Williamson immediately phoned for an ambulance. Paramedics and the police arrived about 11.15pm.

They saw he was bleeding from an open wound to his forehead and he was taken to Raigmore Hospital where he received 11 stitches. The fiscal said the wound above his eyebrow had gone through to the bone and would leave a permanent scar.

He also had lumps on the back of his head, bruising to his nose and grazes to his shoulder blades.

Sheriff Margaret Neilson called for a social work report on Gray, a first offender, and deferred sentence until August 5.


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