An Aberdeen man who shot his victim with a sniper rifle-style pellet gun in a row over money has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.
Albert Damean armed himself with the dangerous weapon to confront a man over a disagreement while two friends rained punches on him.
The 23-year-old narrowly dodged a custodial sentence, despite the terrifying incident leaving his victim with a pellet too dangerously close to an artery to remove.
Damean had appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court alongside co-accused Kieron Higgins, 24, and Zane Islane, 22.
Damean, of Gillespie Crescent, Aberdeen, pled guilty to assaulting his victim by repeatedly discharging an air weapon at him, causing pellets to strike him on the body to his injury.
Higgins, of Balnagask Wynd, Aberdeen, and Islane, of Ruthrie Road, Aberdeen, each pled guilty to assaulting the man by repeatedly punching him on the head and body.
The incident happened at a property on the city’s Charles Street on June 3 2019.
Higgins also admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession of THC.
Defence agent Mike Monro, representing Damean, said his client was just 19 at the time and there had been a “disagreement” between him and the complainer.
It is understood this is related to an allegation regarding money owed.
Damean shot the man twice in the leg, with one of the pellets being deemed too close to an artery to remove.
The matter had gone to trial but Damean pled guilty following the evidence of the injured man.
Mr Monro said his client had since turned his life around, working in the construction industry and asked for him to be spared jail so he could remain a “responsible person and an asset to society”.
Solicitor Iain Hingston, representing Higgins, said his client had remained out of trouble since 2020.
Accused fortunate the pellet gun injury was not more serious
Higgins was caught with cannabis worth up to £1,780 when police executed a search warrant at his address, as well as £1,560 in cash.
He also had £30 of the drug THC.
Defence agent John McLeod, appearing for Islane, said his client accepted responsibility for his role in the assault and had no other cases outstanding.
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin told Damean he was fortunate the injury suffered was not more serious, adding she also took into account his age and the steps he’d taken to turn his life around since.
She handed him 200 hours of unpaid work and a 12-month curfew.
Islane was also handed 200 hours of unpaid work and Higgins, with the assault and drugs matters, was given 300 hours.
Albert Damean emerged from court shouting and swearing
After hiding in the social work room and swearing through the window at the press photographer, Damean donned a mask and hood and emerged shouting and swearing.
Amongst the foul-mouthed tirade, Damean taunted: “F****** pussio, fam. What? Look at you, eh. Fat b******.”
When asked about the incident by a reporter, Damean replied: “I didn’t shoot nothing. F*** off, innit.”
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