A man who drunkenly smashed a bottle of Budweiser beer over the head of a schoolmate he had “no issues with” has been jailed for 27 months.
The unprovoked attack left Graeme Hunter, 31, splattered in blood and his victim permanently scarred and needing surgery.
Hunter was described in Aberdeen Sheriff Court as a “significant risk” to the public.
Fiscal depute Ruaridh McAllister said Hunter’s victim was visiting a friend at a property in Urquhart Road when he encountered his attacker.
“The accused followed him then approached him and threatened to ‘bottle him’ if he didn’t allow him access to the communal block,” the fiscal said.
“He then produced a bottle of Budweiser from his jacket pocket.
“He introduced himself as Bunter and the complainer then realised he knew him from school.
“He was allowed in and the complainer followed him upstairs.”
But after Hunter shouted for and was denied entry to an upstairs flat he “guided” his victim back downstairs before launching into the brutal attack.
Attacked man with beer bottle
Mr McAllister said: “He produced the Budweiser bottle from his jacket pocket and struck him several times over the head. The man was also punched and kicked to the head and body.
“He heard the bottle crack, felt instant pain to his head and saw blood dripping from his head onto the floor.
“He managed to escape and when police arrived they observed a large amount of blood in the communal hallway.”
Officers quickly caught up with Hunter and noted he was splattered with blood.
His victim was left with two cuts to his head which needed more than a dozen stitches. He also suffered a fractured cheekbone and had to undergo surgery on tendons in his wrist.
Hunter admitted a charge of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement and impairment.
Had ‘no issues’ with the man
His defence agent Laura Gracie said her client could give no reason for the attack, which happened on January 16 this year.
“All of his recent offending has been committed while he was under the influence and this offence is no different,” she said.
“In the report, he said he really doesn’t understand why he committed the offence. He seemed to know the complainer from school and has no issues with him.
“He takes full responsibility for it.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller told Hunter: “You subjected your victim to a very serious assault which had significant consequences in terms of his injuries. He has been left with permanent scarring and impairment as a result.”
He sentenced Hunter, a prison at HMP Grampian, to 27 months in jail, backdated to January, and a 12-month supervised release order.
The sheriff added: “Unless your issues with alcohol are addressed you are someone who poses a significant risk of causing serious harm to members of the public in the future.”
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.
