A 20-year-old man who launched a violent attack in a Speyside hotel after being refused a drink appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday.
Gavin Strachan, of 3 Tower Place, Aberlour, admitted repeatedly kicking and punching a member of bar staff in the face and body before biting the man’s cheek.
The assault happened on Tuesday, February 10, in the Aberlour Hotel on the village’s High Street.
The court heard the victim, Samuel Booth, was left with bruising.
Fiscal Ross Carvel said Strachan had been drinking throughout the evening of the attack.
He said: “When the accused was told the pub was closing for the night he did not take kindly to that.
“He entered an area reserved for staff and when he was advised the bar would not be serving any more drink he punched barman Samuel Booth to the face.
“Strachan then threw him to the ground and punched and kicked him to the face and body, and bit him on the side of the face.”
After other staff members pulled Strachan from Mr Booth he left the hotel.
Strachan’s solicitor Stephen Carty said: “My client has known the complainer for quite a while, and on this occasion he thought Mr Booth was being somewhat heavy-handed in his attitude towards him.
“But he accepts he was in the wrong.”
He added that, as a first offender, the experience of appearing in court had “taught his client a lesson”.
Sheriff Peter Grant-Hutchison deferred sentence on Strachan for six months – during which time he is to be of good behaviour.