A night out in Aviemore for a group of students ended in violence when one was scarred for life with a single punch.
But Inverness Sheriff Court heard that a student, who was on a Dundee University field trip to the Cairngorms, was “to some extent the author of his own misfortune” before he was struck in the face by Kirkhill man Jamie Macdonald, 27, on April 22 last year.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood added that the victim’s impact statement would not hold as much strength because he had provoked Macdonald.
Macdonald, of Aird Crescent, admitted assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement at Torq Filling Station.
Fiscal depute Michelle Molley told the court that the student’s two front teeth had been pressed into the pallet of his mouth and a torn lip required 15 stitches and left a scar.
Surgery to re-position the teeth failed, Ms Molley added, and the 20-year-old required repeated dental treatment with a view to replacement of the teeth in the future.
But she accepted that Macdonald had punched the student first after several warnings to him because he feared he would be struck.
However she said it did not amount to self defence.
“He had become involved in a fight with local men outside the filling station and Macdonald was not involved.
“Macdonald told police that the other student acted aggressively towards him and after he warned him a number of times he was forced to punch him before he punched him. While provocation is accepted, self defence is not.”
Defence solicitor Clare Russell said she would reserve her comments until a background report had been prepared on her client, who had no previous convictions for violence.
Macdonald, who had his bail continued, will re-appear on November 16.
But he was warned by the Sheriff that all options were still open to the court.
