A “happy drunk” who attempted to touch another man’s food in a Lochaber pub was repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on in the street, a court heard.
Fort William Sheriff Court was told that Jordan McPhee, who had two previous convictions for assault, dislocated his victim’s shoulder and caused cuts and bruising to his head and body when he attacked him outside the Station Bar in Middle Street.
The 20-year-old, whose address was given in court as care of Distillery Guest House, North Road, Fort William, today pleaded guilty to assaulting James Reade by repeatedly punching him to the head and body, pulling him to the ground and repeatedly stamping on his head and body to his severe injury and impairment on June 30 last year.
Sheriff Richard Davidson told McPhee his actions had been “a gross overreaction”.
He said: “Any assault of this sort involving a kick or a stamp to the head has to be regarded as one of the utmost seriousness and one with the potential to be life-threatening.”
The sheriff deferred sentencing McPhee until August 8 for the preparation of a background report and remanded him in custody.
Fiscal Laura Ryan said that McPhee had been eating and drinking in the Station Bar when Mr Reade arrived and began having “banter” with him, but McPhee’s attitude changed when Mr Reade reached out towards his food.
She said McPhee eventually left the bar, followed by Mr Reade, who was seen to touch the accused’s back.
Miss Ryan said: “McPhee then punches Mr Reade about the head and body with both hands. Mr Reade tries to defend himself and McPhee grabs hold of his clothing and both fall to the ground.
“McPhee gets up and begins to kick Mr Reade about the upper body with repeated forceful kicks.
“He then kicks Mr Reade’s head as he is lying on the ground and is seen to stamp on his head.”
Defence solicitor Gerry Sweeney said his client was alcoholic and suffering from agoraphobia and anxiety, for which he was now receiving treatment.
He described Mr Reade as “a happy drunk, who wants everyone to be happy with him”.
“However, at some point he interferes with my client’s food and he reacts to that,” said Mr Sweeney.
He added that McPhee also overreacted to Mr Reade putting his hand on his back as they left the bar.