An Inverness man has admitted punching another man so hard he fractured his jaw.
Garry Ross lashed out at David Paterson at a nightclub in Nairn on December 6 last year.
The 20-year-old needed three-and-a-half-hours of surgery on a double fracture to his jaw, and had to have three metal plates inserted to hold his jaw together.
Ross, 27, of 8 Simpson Street, Nairn, admitted assaulting Mr Paterson to his severe injury when he appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.
Fiscal depute Laura Ryan told the court that Mr Paterson had been socialising with friends in the Playhouse nightclub when there was an altercation inside.
Mr Paterson left the club as did Ross and there was an exchange of words between them, prompting him to lash out.
Ms Ryan said: “Mr Paterson fell to the ground, but got up and took a taxi home. But the following morning his jaw was in agony and he was unable to swallow.
“He went to the local hospital, was referred to Raigmore in Inverness and then transferred by taxi to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He had two fractures of the jaw and had surgery on December 7. It took three and a half hours and he had three metal plates inserted.
“Ross went to the police station the following day and told officers he felt remorse about what he had done. He said he wanted to tell the truth and face the consequences. At first he claimed it was self defence and Mr Paterson had been aggressive towards him, but CCTV showed this not to be the case.”
Defence agent Neil Wilson added: “Whatever the disproportionate results of his actions, it was one blow and a brief loss of temper.”
Sheriff Margaret Neilson deferred sentence for a background report until November 27.