A disabled man who was brutally beaten up by his neighbour in a row over a cat has said he is “appalled” by an Aberdeen court’s decision to admonish his attacker.
Barrie Tough, 48, was rushed to hospital after he was attacked by William Masson close to his home on May 25 last year when the two had a disagreement about Mr Tough’s cat, Jacko.
Masson was unhappy about how loudly Mr Tough would call for Jacko to return home at the end of the day.
Aberdeen Sherif Court heard an argument broke out and Masson, 72, set about his wheelchair-bound neighbour, punching him repeatedly to the face and body.
However, a previous sheriff’s decision to allow Masson to be of good behaviour for six months, meant that Sheriff Morag McLaughlin was forced to take no further action against him.
Speaking to the Press and Journal, Mr Tough described the decision to admonish Masson as “shocking”.
“It’s just ridiculous – I’m beyond words. I can’t find the right words to say how I’m feeling. I’m horrified,” he said.
“I’m appalled that a sheriff can hear about such a horrific attack on a person and let him off with good behaviour – it beggars belief.
“He punched me repeatedly.”
Fiscal depute Tom Procter told the court that around 3pm on May 25 last year, Mr Tough went to his car to have a cigarette when Masson pulled up in his vehicle and an argument started between the two men over Mr Tough’s cat Jacko.
“The accused opened the car door and placed his hand on the complainer’s chest and punched him repeatedly to the face,” Mr Procter said.
“As he stepped back the complainer struck him with his walking stick, at which point the accused turned around and punched the complainer 15 times in the face.
“The complainer put his hands over his face to protect himself but the accused continued to punch him.”
When Masson left, Mr Tough went to his home and called the police and an ambulance.
It is understood that the argument was sparked by Masson’s anger over Mr Tough calling in Jacko each night, which resulted in dogs barking in the area.
But the court also heard there had been ongoing tension between the two men for some time.
The court heard Mr Tough was left with swelling to his right cheek and a bloodshot eye.
Subsequent checks confirmed there was no fracture to the bones in his face.
Mr Tough was also facing an assault in relation to hitting Masson with his walking stick, but it was dropped by the Crown.
Masson, who represented himself, told the court that “at the end of the day both of us were charged with assault” over the incident.
He added: “We both received injuries that required medical attention.
“There have been no incidents since this.”
Masson had admitted assaulting Mr Tough.
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin told the court she “wasn’t sure” admonishment would have been the sentence she would have chosen, but that she was bound by a previous sheriff’s decision to allow Masson to be of good behaviour.
Sheriff McLaughlin admonished Masson, of Mosside Way, Bucksburn.
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