One punch at a family celebration has resulted in a man having a titanium plate inserted into his face after his eye socket was damaged and his eye left “falling into his face”.
Neil Rimmer, 38, pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife’s stepfather Donald Hay to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement at a flat in Battery Terrace, Oban, on New Year’s Day.
Rimmer, of Springbank Road, Alyth, appeared for sentencing at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday, where he was ordered to pay his victim £2,000 in compensation and complete 240 hours community service.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said: “The adults were enjoying a few drinks watching a fireworks display from their window. At one point the accused’s wife went out with her sister to smoke a cigarette. The accused asked his seven-year-old son to bring his mother back because he doesn’t like her smoking.
“The stepfather said something along the lines of, she only does it at new year and don’t be so hard on her. The accused didn’t like this and began to shout at his father in law and began to lecture about the dangers of smoking.
“During the course of this the complainer pushed the accused away. The accused punched the complainer on the right eye.”
Upon attending hospital, it turned out that the injury was more serious than originally thought.
Mr Hay was unable to open his eye and suffered a fracture to his right orbital. It turned out that his eye was out of position and there was damage to the eye socket. He required a surgical plate to be fitted and was off work for 13 weeks.
Solicitor Edward Thornton said Rimmer had had three glasses of wine that night and was remorseful about his actions.
He said: “He lost his mother, she was a smoker and he has always been touchy about this particular issue. Immediately after the incident he apologised to the complainer.”
Sheriff Patrick Hughes said: “This offence highlights the danger and consequences that can follow from a single punch. I take into account your previous good character. It is an appalling thing for someone to have their eye falling into their face and having to have that fixed.”