An Elgin man who helped his teenage nephew take revenge on a rival who “had chatted up” a young friend was jailed for a year today.
John Geddes, of Maisondieu Road, appeared from custody via video link with 19-year-old Tyler Gilbert of Barlink Road, Elgin, who made a personal appearance.
Geddes, 38, admitted assaulting Michael Thomson to his injury in a house in Forbes Court on February 10 by repeatedly headbutting him, pinning him to the ground and threatening him with further violence if he told the police.
Gilbert pleaded guilty to assaulting Robert Smith, who had been drinking with Thomson, by striking him on the head and body in a 20-minute frenzied attack.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told Gilbert had accused Smith of behaving inappropriately towards a young girl.
Defence solicitor for Geddes, Stephen Carty, said: “Because he was Mr Gilbert’s uncle, he chose to become involved when there was a falling out between parties.
“For long periods, he had his life on track, but he has gone off the rails and when he does, it is in a spectacular way.”
Gilbert’s defence agent, solicitor advocate Mike Chapman told Sheriff Sara Matheson: “It appears what led to this incident was inappropriate behaviour by an much older man towards my client’s friend.”
Sheriff Matheson imposed a restriction of liberty order on Gilbert for the next six months.