An oil worker seriously hurt in a north-east town centre fracas is beginning to show signs of recovery.
Mark Carter has been in hospital since being injured in a disturbance outside Mambo’s bar and nightclub in Peterhead during the early hours of Sunday, July 27.
The 47-year-old was taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with a serious head injury just after 3am.
Police cordoned-off a large area around the Queen Street venue for nearly 12 hours as part of their investigation.
Yesterday, Londonderry man John Patrick Nixon made a second private appearance from custody at Peterhead Sheriff Court.
The 29-year-old is accused of assaulting Mr Carter to his severe injury and to the danger of his life.
Nixon, who first appeared in court last Thursday, made no plea and was remanded in custody.
A spokesman for the Crown Office said a date for his next court appearance had yet to be set.
Last night, a close friend of Mr Carter, who works for local offshore supply firm Asco, said: “He’s still in hospital, but he is getting better now. He’s started to show signs of recovery.”
Residents living inside the cordon set up in Queen Street were quizzed by police officers as they went to and from their homes.
Locals said there had been a commotion in the street, but it did not appear to be out of the ordinary for a Saturday night in Peterhead town centre.
In March, more than a dozen people aged between 20-45 were charged with assault and breach of the peace following a major disturbance in the street, which is also home to the Deja Vu nightclub.
Officers arrested 13 men and one 21-year-old woman in connection with the fracas.