A disgruntled former shortbread factory worker carried out an attack on his female supervisor that was so brutal she has been left unable to speak.
Dad-of-five Jon Craig shattered 44-year-old Katarzyna Jaloszynska’s skull and smashed bones in her face, including her left eye socket and cheekbone.
The vicious assault took place at around 4.45am on October 26 last year as she left her Elgin home to catch the bus to her work at Walkers shortbread factory in Aberlour.
At the High Court in Glasgow Craig admitted assaulting her to the danger of her life.
He was originally charged with attempted murder, but his plea to the reduced charge was accepted.
Craig, 55, from Elgin, made a formal complaint in April 2016 claiming he was being “abused, singled out, harassed and racially discriminated against” by Ms Jaloszynska, who is Polish.
He resigned from the company on May 23, 2016, citing childcare as the reason.
When questioned by police Craig initially denied the assault.
But he told officers: “Me and other factory workers were treated like jews in a death camp.”
He added: “There was a bullying culture at the factory and nothing was done, despite complaints.”
Prosecutor Duncan McPhie said: “He described that the supervisors would verbally abuse staff, by shouting, screaming and swearing at them.”
The court heard that Craig claimed Miss Jaloszynska’s attitude towards him changed after he broke up with one of her friends.
Craig alleged she would take him off easy jobs and put him on cleaning duties. He said he felt she was punishing him.
The court heard that after Miss Jaloszynska left for work her husband heard screaming and ran out and found her badly injured, covered in blood and unable to speak.
Emergency surgery was carried out at Aberdeen Royal Hospital to remove fragments of bone from her brain.
She is still unable to speak, although she can obey commands.
Mr McPhie said: “The final outcome with regards to the complainer’s brain injury has not yet been determined. It will take a minimum of six months to ascertain this.
“The consultant neurosurgeon said that the injuries sustained were consistent with blunt force trauma caused by a fair degree of force in order to fracture the skull.”
Craig, who has been in custody since December 8, last year, will be sentenced by judge Lord Mulholland next month.
Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson said: “This was a planned attack on woman who was making her way to work in the early hours of the morning on her own.
“This brutal assault has resulted in significant long term impact for the victim and her family. Craig is a devious individual and his sole intention that morning was to inflict very serious injury.
“His victim has not yet regained her ability to speak fully but I hope that this conviction in some small way can assist her and her family deal with the recovery process which will undoubtedly continue for the rest of her life.
“My thoughts are with her and her family today and I hope that she will make a full recovery and be able to enjoy her future.
“I would like to thank the community for supporting us with the investigation which was challenging and complex in its nature particularly due to the fact we were unable to fully speak to the woman involved to establish what happened to her.”
The attack with a pole or similar implement took place at Woodside Terrace, Elgin, on a lane which runs from Ms Jaloszynska’s home to the bus stop where she was due to catch a bus to work.
She has no memory of the vicious assault.
Her husband found her lying with her left leg bent under her. She was holding on to her handbag and was unable to speak. Her face and coat were covered in blood.
Walkers Shortbread refute Craig’s allegations
A spokesman for Walkers Shortbread Limited said the firm “strongly refuted” any of the allegations made by Craig.
He said: “Mr Craig was employed by us and left due to child care reasons in May 2016.
“He did raise a complaint during his employment which was dealt with in accordance with our procedures.
“All allegations were unfounded and unsubstantiated.
“At Walkers the welfare of our staff is our top priority and therefore taken very seriously.
“Our robust policies and procedures ensure all employment matters are dealt with in a fair and equitable manner.”
