A roads worker who left a colleague with “devastating injuries” after a fracas outside a pub has been ordered to pay his victim £7,500 in compensation.
Keir Agnew was yesterday told he was lucky not to have killed Colin Gordon outside Stonehaven’s Market Bar as he tried to diffuse an argument on August 19 last year.
The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) worker admitted assaulting Mr Gordon to the danger of his life and permanent disfigurement when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last month.
He appeared in court for sentence yesterday and Sheriff Graeme Napier said it was only due to “advances in medical science” that Agnew was not appearing in court on a charge of murder or culpable homicide.
The 33-year-old had been drinking in the Market Bar with a friend when his pal began arguing with fellow AWPR worker Mr Gordon.
Agnew’s agent, solicitor Kevin Longino, yesterday said yesterday that his client initially took on the “peacekeeping” role as he escorted Mr Gordon from the premises before striking out at him with his elbow.
He fell and hit his head on the ground, fracturing his skull, and was put in a medically-induced coma when he arrived at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Sheriff Napier said the dispute had led to a “year of hell” – both physically and financially – for Mr Gordon.
He added: “Your actions have caused devastating injuries to Mr Gordon, who was lucky to survive them as you well know. His life was in danger for a significant period of time.
“He will always be anxious. He has increased risk for three years if he is to suffer a slight injury to his head.
“You are very fortunate not to be facing a charge of culpable homicide.
“Had it not been for the intervention of the doctors that would be the charge you would be facing, if not a charge of murder.”
However, the sheriff also took into account that “the violence involved” on Agnew’s part was at “the lower end of the scale”.
Mr Longino said his client “genuinely regrets what happened”, adding: “He pushed out with his forearm, he had no reason to do that, but he did do that. Mr Agnew, to his credit went to his aid.
“In the DVD of the police interview, quite clearly he’s upset about the circumstances and asks about the welfare of the complainer.”
Sheriff Napier ordered Agnew, of Atlin Drive, New Stevenston, Glasgow, to pay £7,500 in compensation in monthly installments of £600.
The father-of-one was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and placed under supervision for 15 months.