An Ellon man has been jailed after he burst into his neighbour’s flat and assaulted him – just days after being ordered by a court not to approach him.
Simon Obuzor, also known as Williams, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted breaching his non-harassment order by walking into the home of his neighbour and repeatedly punching him.
The court heard the 34-year-old’s attack on the man was only halted when he was pulled off of him by a friend.
Obuzor had been made subject to an order by the court not to go near the man only 11 days before.
A sheriff told Obuzor that the only “appropriate” sentence now was a period of imprisonment.
Accused was on top of victim
Fiscal depute Rebecca Thompson told the court that at around 12.50pm on November 11 this year the man was in his home in Ellon when Obuzor burst in and punched him in the face.
“A fight ensued between the two men and ended up with them on the floor, with the accused on top of the complainer repeatedly punching him to the face,” she said.
A friend of Obuzor’s soon after entered the property and pulled him off the man.
Obuzor then ran from the property but was soon traced by police.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of assault and a second of breaching his non-harassment order.
In addition, Obuzor admitted a further charge of being in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a metal pole, on September 4 last year.
‘I have no confidence you would adhere to any order’
Defence agent Caitlin Pirie told the court that her client had a record for similar offences and was “realistic” about the sentencing options open to the court.
She added: “His offending is linked to his addiction to addictive substances.
“Mr Obuzor knows that his behaviour was completely unacceptable and he wants to apologise.
“He is very worried about the court imposing a custodial sentence today.”
Handing down sentence, Sheriff William Summers pointed out to Obuzor that he had a “raft of previous convictions”.
“You have failed to comply with your order and I cannot ignore the fact that these are serious offences,” he said.
“Put simply, you barged into your neighbour’s home and seriously assaulted him just days after receiving a non-harassment order designed to prevent that.
“I have no confidence that you would adhere to any order I would make.
“The only appropriate sentence is the imposition of a custodial sentence.”
Sheriff Summers sentenced Obuzor, of Park Crescent, Ellon, to a total of eight months in jail.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.
