Two men have been ordered to pay compensation to a group of strangers who they battered on a night out after making fun of someone’s long hair.
Cameron Rae and Ben Mitchell, both 21, were just 18 when they set about their victims on North Street in Inverurie one evening.
Rae instigated the clash by shouting derogatory comments about a man’s long hair, before crossing the road and “goading” the group.
Unable to provoke a response from them, Rae lashed out himself, punching, dragging and kicking one man before he and Mitchell each assaulted another.
Fiscal depute Kiril Bonavino told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that on the evening of July 27 2019 a number of witnesses were drinking and socialising in Inverurie town centre.
He said: “Shortly after leaving a pub at 7pm, the witness heard the accused Rae shouting to him across the road, making derogatory comments about his long hair.”
‘Very embarrassed’
The fiscal said Rae was in the company of Mitchell and others at the time.
Rae then crossed the road and began “goading” the witnesses into a fight.
The group asked Rae to “leave them alone”, but he “unexpectedly punched” the man to the head before dragging him into the road.
While the man was lying on the road, Rae proceeded to repeatedly punch and kick him to the head and body.
Another witness tried to intervene to stop the attack but Rae began to punch him as well.
Mitchell then also became involved and, while acting with others, repeatedly punched a third man to the head and body.
The attackers fled when police were contacted.
‘Turned his life around’
The first victim was left with bruising to his head and body, concussion and memory loss. He also had to spend a night in hospital for observation.
The second victim suffered an “extremely swollen” eye.
And the third victim sustained bruising to his head and body.
Rae, of Westfield Road, Inverurie, pled guilty to two charges of assault to injury, while Mitchell, of Cowieson Crescent, Pitmedden, admitted one, all while acting with others.
Lynn Bentley, Mitchell’s solicitor, said: “There’s acceptance the complainer was punched more than once, but not by him. He accepts it on an art and part basis.
“His initial involvement was trying to stop the fight.”
‘I hope I’ll never see you again.’
Sheriff Janys Scott QC said she noted a social work report on Mitchell detailed a number of steps taken to make positive changes.
Caitlin Pirie, Rae’s lawyer, said her client was just 18 at the time and had also made positive steps and “turned his life around”.
She said Rae, who was struggling with his mental health, described his behaviour as “stupid” and was “very embarrassed”.
Sheriff Scott QC ordered Rae to be supervised for a year, pay the first victim £500 in compensation and the second victim £300 compensation.
Mitchell was ordered to pay his victim £300 compensation and also pay a fine of £340.
The sheriff congratulated both accused on making positive changes in their lives since the offence but added: “I hope I’ll never see you again.”
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