Dingwall teenager left man with facial fractures after attack in Invergordon, Inverness Sheriff Court hears

A Ross-shire teenager attacked a man on his way back from an ATM to his accommodation, leaving him with facial fractures.

But Inverness Sheriff Court was told 23-year-old Damien Straszewski, then aged 21, didn't discover his jaw was broken as well as his cheek bone until several months later.

Campbell Brett, 19, of Fingal Road, Dingwall appeared by video link before Sheriff Sara Matheson and admitted assault to severe injury in an incident which occurred in Invergordon on August 27, 2019.

Sentence was deferred until September 13 for a background report.

Fiscal depute Robert Weir told the court that Mr Straszewski went to check if his benefits had been paid into his account and was on his way home through an alley when he encountered Brett.

"Brett said 'ha, ha, you are not getting there' and then chased him," Mr Weir went on.

"Mr Straszewski was struck to the head and kneed several times in the face before his head was bashed off a wall, knocking him unconscious. A witness heard him shouting 'who's the boss now?'.

"Brett was traced to his bedroom and he was highly intoxicated," Mr Weir added.

A hospital examination of the victim revealed a fractured cheek bone, swollen eyes and cuts. It was later discovered in December that his jaw had also been broken, but Mr Straszewski refused further treatment as surgery would have required a general anaesthetic, Mr Weir told the Sheriff.