A man broke his victim’s cheekbone with one punch during an altercation in Aberdeen city centre, a court has heard.
Christopher Reid, 36, was walking past two men on Union Street when he suddenly barged into them and punched one in the eye.
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary heard that a hospital x-ray later showed that Reid had shattered his victim’s cheekbone.
Fiscal depute Tom Proctor told the court that at around 1am on August 6 2022 two friends were walking down Union Street when they encountered Reid walking in the opposite direction.
“The complainer and his friend walked either side of the accused so as not to walk into him but then felt the accused barge into them,” he said.
“They asked him what his problem was and he punched the complainer once to the right eye.”
The 27-year-old victim had to be taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary due to injuries to the right-hand side of his face.
An x-ray later showed that he had a broken bone in his cheek.
Mr Proctor said police later corroborated the assault by CCTV.
Reid, who has one previous conviction for assault, admitted one charge of assault by punching a man to his injury.
‘Barge’ disputed by accused
Defence agent Paul Barnett said Reid disputed he barged into the men.
However, Reid did accept that he threw the punch.
Mr Barnett added: “Whilst Mr Reid has one analogous previous conviction but it was 16 years ago.”
He called for reports to be carried out on his client and the CCTV of the offence to be viewed by the sheriff.
Sheriff Eric Brown deferred sentence on Reid, of Brockwood Crescent, Blackburn, in order for a criminal justice social work report and restriction of liberty order assessment to be carried out.
He also requested that the CCTV of the offence be provided for him the view.
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