A former Aviemore man who retaliated after being assaulted was sentenced to 270 hours of unpaid community work yesterday.
James Simpson, formerly of Braeriach Court but now of Glasgow, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court in September and admitted assaulting Robert Brown to his severe injury.
The 27-year-old punched Brown on the face, which knocked him to the ground, and then struck his head on the ground.
The court heard the incident happened in the early hours of September 19 after a party in Castle Road East in Grantown.
Fiscal Roderick Urquhart said that there had previously been a disagreement between the two.
Mr Brown sustained a broken nose and a cut which required four stitches.
Defending, Neil Wilson said: “He went outside to urinate and was struck from behind twice by Robert Brown. His glasses were broken.
“This was retaliation and there was an element of provocation. But the assault was for a limited time because my client came to his senses and immediately realised it was foolish.
“He also handed himself in when he discovered the police were looking for him.
“He has taken a long hard look at himself because his offending is alcohol related. He is aiming for total abstinence.”
Sheriff Margaret Neilson also placed Simpson under social work supervision for 18 months.
