A north-east man has been jailed for three years for a brutal attack in the city centre in which he kicked and stamped on his victim as he lay on the ground.
David Patterson also stole a bottle of wine from a supermarket and launched a foul tirade at the staff who challenged him, shouting “Scotland for the whites” at a black employee and doing Nazi salutes.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard yesterday that he was at the entrance to the Co-Operative shop in Union Street at around 10.50pm in the evening on February 1 this year.
He became involved in an altercation with John MacLeod and pushed him to the ground and then kicked his head and chest before walking away.
But after initially walking away he turned around and launched further kicks and stamps on his body.
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Patterson left the scene and headed up Union Street and down Bon Accord where he was picked up by the police and arrested.
He was later released on bail but went into the Sainsbury’s on Union Street on June 25 and attempted to steal a £6 bottle of wine.
When challenged by Jeovany Mbonge, a black employee, he shouted “Scotland for the whites” and made a Nazi salute.
He later spat at two other staff members before being arrested.
Patterson, of HMP Grampian, confessed to assault to injury and danger of life, shoplifting, racially aggravated abuse and spitting at staff during his appearance in court yesterday.
Fiscal depute Colin Neilson said of the original assault: “Perhaps surprisingly the injury was not serious.
“There is soft tissue damage to the left side of Mr MacLeod’s face.”
Representing the 53-year-old, defence agent Mike Munro said his client, who has eight previous convictions involving violence, had been “around the court system long enough to know he is going to receive a prison sentence.”
He also said that Mr MacLeod elected to have no medical treatment following the attack and gave no statement to the police.
Sheriff William Summers said: “It is fortunate that your victim has not more serious injuries and you are not facing a more serious charge.
He added that the incident in Sainsbury’s showed “quite despicable behaviour on your part that day.”
“It is clear there is no alternative available to the court other than to impose a custodial sentence.”
