A student with aspirations to attend the prestigious Yale University in America has been ordered to pay £500 in compensation after breaking the jaw of an “innocent victim” during a fight.
Shokhrukh Karimov, of Stoneywood Road, Aberdeen, got into a dispute with fellow student Samuel Taylor at a Halloween party in 2016.
Connor Galligan intervened in a bid to make peace between the pair, and Karimov punched him, fracturing his jaw in the process.
Appearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, the 21-year-old, originally from Uzbekistan, pleaded guilty to punching both men.
His defence agent, Gregor Kelly, said: “My client is studying accountancy and finance at a university in the city and wants to go to Yale.
“This was an unfortunate incident, when an innocent victim stepped in to sort out a verbal altercation.
“Mr Karimov deemed him to be a threat and punched him – the victim later required plates in his jaw.
“He realises it was a most unfortunate ‘lucky punch’ for all those concerned.”
Mr Kelly added that since the incident, his client had moderated his alcohol abuse and shown remorse.
Sheriff Andrew Millar decided to impose a supervision order, unpaid work hours and a compensation fine.
He said: “This was a very unfortunate situation, prior to this incident you had been studying and had no prior convictions
“On this occasion, alcohol had been consumed and you became involved in a dispute with a man.
“That man’s friend attempted to make peace and you misinterpreted his actions and did punch him, fracturing his jaw which required surgery and insertion of metal supports.
“But I have taken into account that it was not a prolonged attack, and that your social work report stated you pose a low risk for further offending.
“Compensation to Mr Galligan will be a token to recognise the anguish and stress caused by the incident, and the fact he was completely innocent in the incident.”
Karimov was issued with a 12 month supervision order, 120 hours of unpaid work and £500 compensation.