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Balintore man was 'provoked' into Easter Ross bar attack which left victim with broken eye socket, Highland court is told


By Ali Morrison

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Sheriff Robert Frazer said he would not impose a jail sentence after hearing details of the case.
Sheriff Robert Frazer said he would not impose a jail sentence after hearing details of the case.

A 28-year-old Easter Ross man attacked a bar customer and broke his eye socket after he upset his partner.

But Inverness Sheriff Court was told that the prosecution accepted that victim Ryan Allison had provoked Dean Macdonald of Port Street, Balintore in the Railway Hotel, Tain on June 26, 2021.

As a result, Sheriff Robert Frazer told Macdonald he would not jail him, and instead ordered him to carry out 280 hours of unpaid work. He also instructed Macdonald to pay his victim £1000 in compensation.

The court was told that Macdonald's partner and former co-accused had become distressed by comments made by Mr Allison who then invited Macdonald to fight.

Mr Allison was punched to the face and Mr Allison fell to the ground. Bar staff intervened and stopped them.

Fiscal depute David Morton said: "His face was swollen, he went to hospital and a scan revealed a broken eye socket which required surgery in Aberdeen.

"A plate and four screws were inserted and he has been left with a one-inch scar."

Macdonald admitted assault to permanent disfigurement.

Defence solicitor David Patterson said: "This was not his finest moment. There is a long-standing history of resentment between them.

"He is now careful about his intake of alcohol and who he drinks with."


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