An Aberdeenshire teenager has admitted carrying out a vicious, unprovoked assault on an off-duty fireman – leaving him with a fractured cheek and black and blue eye.
Daniel Hay attacked Gary Michie in Huntly’s Doric Kebab shop on October 5 last year.
The 19-year-old then pinned his victim against a windowsill before repeatedly throwing punches at his face.
Mr Michie could do nothing but cower down with his hands in front of his face as he was struck about 10 times, leaving him covered in blood.
Yesterday, Hay appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted carrying out the early morning attack and leaving Mr Michie severely injured.
The court heard that Mr Michie had been out drinking in Huntly with a large group of friends when they decided to go and get some food on their way home at around 1am.
Fiscal depute Anne MacDonald said the 47-year-old joined a queue in the shop when he noticed a scuffle going on beside him.
Ms MacDonald said that a woman was trying to restrain someone involved in the argument and Mr Michie had gone over to assist.
However, as he approached, the woman let go and he turned back to rejoin the queue.
Ms MacDonald said that at that point Hay “lunged” at Mr Michie.
She said: “The complainer saw someone lunge at him and felt a punch to the face. He felt at least six punches. He managed to shield himself with his arms.
“Other witnesses said they thought there were eight to 10 punches. The panel was pinning the complainer against the windowsill while he was punching.”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan was shown footage – which had been recorded on a witnesses’s mobile phone – of the brutal attack on Mr Michie.
As a result he deferred sentence for a background report on the first offender and to assess his suitability for a restriction of liberty order.
Hay, of 9 King Street, Huntly, will return to court on May 22.