A north-east man has avoided being locked up after knocking a disabled man unconscious during an attack in Aberdeen.
Aiden Bartlett chased Richard Boyd through several streets in the city centre before pushing him to the ground and kicking his head.
Mr Boyd had previously suffered from cancer and a stroke and still has mobility issues as a result of the attack.
Bartlett admitted carrying out the attack, alongside a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, when he previously appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
And yesterday the 20-year-old was back in the dock to be sentenced after Sheriff Christine McCrossan ordered him to write a letter explaining why he should be spared a custodial sentence.
As a result of his letter she agreed to allow him to keep his liberty and placed him on a curfew for six months.
He will now be unable to leave his home in Lemon Street, Aberdeen between the hours of 8pm and 8am.
Bartlett will also be placed under supervision for 18 months and will have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Sentencing the young man, Sheriff McCrossan told him to make use of the community payback order.
She said: “I know you had previously planned to join the army, this conviction may prevent that from happening.
“I would like you to come back to me with a career plan.
“On a previous community payback order you worked in a charity shop and this was something you enjoyed.”
Mr Boyd’s mother previously revealed he was still suffering from the attack and called for the two men to be jailed.
Susan Boyd said: “It’s terrible, disgusting, I think they should lock them up and throw away the key for that type of folk.
“I just hope they get locked up, they deserve it, they should not be allowed to roam the streets.
“Richard still gets headaches from the kicking in the head.
“I do not think he’s been the same, walking home and that, it’s a bit nerve-wracking.”
