A sheriff has warned two teens they could have killed their victim in a late-night attack following a row at an Aberdeen nightclub.
Reece Cameron and Liam Petrie, both 18, ran at and attacked the man on George Street after following him through the city centre.
There had earlier been an exchange between the parties in Exodus nightclub.
Fiscal depute Dylan Middleton told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 2.10am on March 8.
He said: “The complainer had been socialising in the city centre throughout the evening. At that time he had departed Exodus on Schoolhill and walked to Harriet Street.
‘It was a continuation of an earlier incident’
“The accused began following him and shouting at him.
“The complainer doesn’t know why he came to their attention at this point in time.
“At 2.15am the accused were seen on CCTV running at the complainer.
“Petrie thereafter swung 12 punches at the head of the complainer, with about half making contact.”
Petrie then used both hands to push their victim’s head downwards.
Cameron then punched the man once to the head before Petrie kicked him to the leg twice.
The man managed to remain on his feet throughout the incident and did not retaliate, instead attempting to walk away.
The teens eventually fled the scene on foot and the complainer was traced by police and found with a cut to his lip, bleeding nose and sore face.
He did not require any medical attention.
His attackers were later identified from CCTV.
Cameron, of Kincorth Circle, Aberdeen, and Petrie, of Ash-Hill Place, Aberdeen, pled guilty to assault to injury.
Defence agent Michael Burnett, representing both teens, told the court the complainer had stated to police that he may have been at Exodus at the same time as his attackers, and that there may have been an incident with shouting outside.
‘They can fall, they can hit their head, they can die’
He said the complainer also said he “may have made a remark to them”.
Mr Burnett said: “The accused confirmed their position was there was an earlier altercation at the nightclub.
“It doesn’t excuse anything, but it was a continuation of an earlier incident.”
He went on: “Mr Petrie wholeheartedly accepts he was the main aggressor.”
He explained 90% of the assault came from Petrie, with 10% from Cameron.
The solicitor added: “It’s late-night or early morning violence. Everyone involved was under the influence.”
Sheriff Margaret Hodge told the teens: “You’re both 18 years old and have not had any involvement in the criminal justice system so far, but this is a serious assault.
“I have to impress upon you, when you punch someone on the head you have no idea what’s going to happen.
“They can fall, they can hit their head, they can die, they can be seriously injured.
“Let this be the last time you’re ever involved in anything like this because you could find yourself on much more serious charges.”
She handed Cameron 60 hours of unpaid work and Petrie 70 hours.
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