A violent attack at the Belladrum festival has left Elgin resident Adis Delic with a broken jaw.
The incident happened as Mr Delic was trying to exit the venue on Friday, July 29, the second day of the music and arts festival, held at Belladrum Estate near Beauly.
The 40-year-old was assaulted after getting lost in one of the zones – a group of young men came to his aid after he was knocked to the ground.
He required first aid treatment on site, before he was rushed to Raigmore hospital.
Mr Delic suffered a broken jaw.
He was operated on for three hours as surgeons battled to reconstruct his face using screws and plates.
The force of the strike also caused him to lose one of his back teeth.
Police have described the attack as “unprovoked”.
Mr Delic hopes by sharing his story it will lead to the assailant being caught and brought to justice.
On the night of the incident Mr Delic was attempting to make his way out of the festival.
He remembers a security guard stopping him, and telling him it would be dangerous to walk out.
‘I didn’t say or do anything to upset them’
Mr Delic, who had never been to a festival before, was unfamiliar with the layout of the grounds.
He ended up lost in one of the zones on the estate.
He recalled he was on the phone speaking to a friend when he heard someone running towards him at which point he was knocked violently to the ground.
He said: “I have been trying to replay it back in my mind, but I was on the phone looking down at the ground, and I heard these running steps, and next thing I know I’m on the ground.
“I was conscious the whole time, so instantly I tried to sit up to turn around and see who the person was. But within seconds there was a group of boys around me, and they were all saying ‘oh that’s disgusting’ and telling me to stay down and they were going to get help for me.
“Immediately, the medical team were on hand to help, and that was it. I knew instantly that my jaw was broken.
“I think because I was on the phone and my mouth was open, that’s the reason my jaw was so badly damaged.
“I was lucky that it wasn’t six to eight inches higher. If they had hit my temple you and I might not be having this conversation.”
Following the attack, Mr Delic was taken to Raigmore where he was in surgery for three hours as they fixed his jaw.
He can no longer eat solid foods and has to consume only protein shakes and yoghurts for six weeks.
Because of the swelling the offshore worker cannot put on his survival suit. He may have to take up to two months off work to recover.
‘I knew instantly that my jaw was broken’
It has left him in tremendous pain and confused about why he was targeted in such a horrific way.
Mr Delic said: “I can assure anybody that I didn’t say or do anything to upset them throughout the whole course of the day, and it’s not in my nature to do that.”
He says that the attack has made him very nervous around people and has knocked his confidence in going out in public. Something he hopes will pass with time.
Police have launched an investigation into the attack.
Detective Constable Ross Cooper said: “This appears to have been an unprovoked attack, and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“The festival site was busy at the time and we are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or who has information that could help with our investigation.”
Conversation