An Elgin City footballer’s career is in jeopardy after he drunkenly assaulted a paramedic in a nightclub.
Star player Darryl McHardy yesterday admitted attacking Kris O’Neill, leaving him with permanent injuries.
The 20-year-old deliberately “barged into” a customer near the bar, and then lashed out at Mr O’Neill when he attempted to make peace.
The incident – which took place at the Joanna’s nightspot in Elgin – is not the Scottish League footballer’s first brush with the law.
Two years ago, he was jailed for nine months after causing a car smash which left teammate Chris Tucker close to death.
At Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday, McHardy’s solicitor pleaded with Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov to spare the footballer a prison sentence.
The sheriff conceded it was unlikely she would jail the footballer, but said she was considering imposing a restriction of liberty order instead.
Under the sanction, McHardy – whose primary earnings come from working as a builder with his father – would be confined to his home between 7pm and 7am.
But his solicitor argued this could waylay his football career by causing him to miss important fixtures and training sessions.
Defence agent Matthew O’Neill said: “This was a moment of madness, where my client took complete leave of his senses.
“During the incident some reference was made to his previous conviction, and that unfortunately escalated.
“He fully accepts his behaviour was disgraceful, and is devastated that he has caused harm to someone.
“This has caused him some great concern with regard to his careers both as a builder and with a football team.”
Fiscal Ruaraidh MacAllister said McHardy had been at a wedding dance before heading to the club on Sunday, August 16, and had been drinking heavily throughout the day.
After butting off-duty paramedic Mr O’Neill, McHardy left the club – with his victim’s blood spattered across his face.
As he left, he told door staff that the blood was his own as he had been attacked.
He later repeated the lie to police officers when they stopped to question him.
It was only when officers found the wounded Mr O’Neill that they realised what had happened, and viewed CCTV footage which confirmed his version of events.
The court was shown the film, which depicted McHardy – wearing a black waistcoat and white shirt – committing the vicious assault.
Mr O’Neill was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital, where medics sutured a deep cut to his nose, which will leave a lasting scar.
McHardy, of 26 Ben Aigen Walk in Elgin, admitted to assaulting Mr O’Neill by butting him on the head to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
He offered to pay a financial penalty in lieu of other punishments – but Sheriff Pasportnikov was quick to dismiss the offer.
Defence solicitor Mr O’Neill said the accused offered his “unreserved apologies” to his victim.
He said that imprisoning his client would undo the progress he had made since being released for his past conviction, and argued that restricting his liberty would have a “huge impact” on Elgin City FC.
The court heard Elgin City manager Jim Weir had written to the court attesting his player’s good character.
The sheriff deferred sentence until next month for the restriction of liberty assessment to be carried out.
