A mechanical engineer who blinded a fellow reveller in one eye with a single punch has narrowly avoided jail.
Kyle Middelton’s group of friends got involved in a scuffle outside Marmaris Kebab House in Aberdeen’s Rose Street on August 16 last year.
When he thought his friend was under attack, the 21-year-old lashed out at Martyn Kidd who was trying to keep the peace.
With just one punch, Middleton caused Mr Kidd to lose his sight in his left eye. And, yesterday, he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to be sentenced for carrying out the attack.
The court heard the initial disagreement had nothing to do with either of the two men.
Fiscal Depute Stephanie Ross said: “At about 3.15am, the accused, along with his friends and Mr Kidd and his friends were all in the takeaway premises, after all had been out socialising in the city centre.
“There was some sort of disagreement between parties at the premises, not involving the accused and complainer at that point.”
Miss Ross said this led to people leaving the takeaway, including Middleton.
At this point, two of Middleton’s friends started arguing with one of Mr Kidd’s friends and, believing a fight was about to take place, he stepped in between them to defuse the situation.
Miss Ross said: “The accused approached Kidd and punched him on the side of the head causing him to stumble.”
In the aftermath, Mr Kidd lost the vision in his left eye. When he went to hospital later on, he was told there was no treatment for it and that it was permanent.
Representing Middleton, of Buckie Crescent, Bridge of Don, solicitor Gregor Kelly said the incident was totally out of character for his client who had no history of violence.
He said he had acted instinctively and now deeply regretted his actions, which had “tragic” consequences.
Mr Kelly said Middleton had a good job and was well respected in his place of work. He asked Sheriff Alison Stirling to consider allowing him to keep his liberty in order to pay his victim “substantial” compensation.
Sheriff Stirling agreed and added that, due to his lack of a violent record, she would be willing to allow him to pay to make recompense.
Middleton was ordered to pay Mr Kidd £5,000 in compensation and told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.
