A former Inverness takeaway worker who broke a man’s jaw in two places with a single punch narrowly avoided jail yesterday.
Najmul Mohammed was found guilty after trial last month of assaulting Gary MacLennan to his severe injury and impairment in a row outside the city’s Caledonian Bar.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood said the offence would “justify a term of imprisonment” but was “persuaded by his lack of previous offending” and ordered Mohammed to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £800 compensation.
The 28-year-old, who at the time of the offence in November 2015 was living in Keppoch Road, Culloden, claimed he acted while defending himself and his friend, Satnam Cartwright, 24.
But Inverness Sheriff Court previously heard during the two-day trial that MacLennan, a joiner from Dingwall, required surgery after the incident left him bleeding heavily in the city’s High Street.
He was sent to hospital in Aberdeen to have three metal plates inserted and was off work for two weeks.
Yesterday in court Mohammed’s solicitor, Duncan Henderson, made a plea in declaration on behalf of his client, who now lives in London.
Mr Henderson said: “My client realises the significant injuries caused by his punch to Mr MacLennan and has instructed me to deeply and sincerely apologise for the injury.
“It’s accepted on behalf of Mr Mohammed this is a significant conviction. This is a 28-year-old who has no previous convictions for violence.
“He has found the entire experience to be humbling and does appreciate the severe consequences of his actions in the decision he made very quickly and foolishly in the early hours of the morning.”
Mohammed must complete his 200 hours of unpaid work within eight months.
Following trial a jury took just 90 minutes to find Mohammed guilty by majority.