A “drink-fuelled thug” has been told that an assault he carried out in Aberdeen city centre could have been “potentially fatal”.
Liam Anderson broke a bystander’s nose at Soul Casino on Friday, May 31 2018, when attempting to break up a fight between him and a friend.
When the 22-year-old accused appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, he pleaded guilty to assaulting him by repeatedly striking him on the head, causing him to fall to the ground, and continuing to kick him while he was on the ground.
The court heard that victim had attempted to intervene when Anderson and his 21-year-old associate Kyle Young, who was sentenced separately, started brawling with each other.
Fiscal depute, Anna Chisolm, said Anderson was seen kicking the man twice to the head after he pushed him to the floor.
Police on patrol stepped in and managed to prevent the accused, of Bedford Avenue, from inflicting any further harm.
The man was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with a broken nose, which medical staff initially thought they would have to operate on.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly said his client had “buckled down” and made efforts to redeem himself since the incident.
Mr Kelly said: “He accepts that his behaviour was abhorrent and he went too far.
“He has stepped up to the mark for his children after he and their mother went through a rough patch and has maintained sobriety since last year.
“He is capable of being a drink-fuelled thug, but also capable of being a good father.”
Sheriff Mungo Bovey warned Anderson that a kick to the head is “potentially fatal” and ordered him to perform 180 hours of unpaid work.
Sheriff Bovey said: “The number of hours reflects the seriousness of the crime but also the progress you have made.”
Young, of Fowler Avenue, was sentenced separately and is to perform 160 hours of unpaid work.