An Aberdeen man who punched a stranger in the street, causing him to fall and break his hip, has been fined £400.
James Booth, of Sheddocksley Drive, pleaded guilty to assaulting Berrie Dykes on March 31, 2019, by punching him on the head to his severe injury.
The two men had been drinking in a bar on the city’s Market Street and did not know each other prior to the incident.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court court heard the Mr Dykes was outside smoking when Booth approached him and an argument broke out.
Fiscal depute Lynzi Souter said Booth had been telling Mr Dykes to walk away before the fair faced-off in the middle of the road.
Booth, 53, then punched the complainer in the face, causing him to fall over and break his hip.
When police attended at the bar, he freely told them what had happened and even showed officers the hand he had used to punch the man with.
Mr Dykes was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary following the incident and was told the fall had broken his right hip. He had to have an operation to fix it.
Solicitor Christopher Maitland, said the complainer had been “really aggressive” towards his client and had directed comments towards his partner.
It was then, he said, that Booth “unfortunately lost his temper”, but Mr Maitland added that he accepted responsibility for his actions.