A Highland League star who attacked a man until he fell into a coma was not provoked, a sheriff has ruled.
Former Dons prospect Jamie Masson had been out with friends in the early hours of September 11 last year when he punched Fraserburgh dad James Noble outside Deejays Nightclub.
Mr Noble, who has three children, had to be taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to be treated for his injures which included a fractured skull and a blood clot.
Masson had admitted committing the assault when he appeared in court last month, but said he had been provoked.
But yesterday, during a proof in mitigation hearing at Peterhead Sheriff Court, Sheriff Andrew Miller said he did not accept that version of events.
Masson, who now plays for Highland League side Formartine United, told the court he felt “scared” following an interaction within the nightclub between himself and Mr Noble.
CCTV footage taken at about 2.50am from inside the club was played in court yesterday.
It showed Mr Noble leaning into Masson and saying something which he claimed he interpreted as “aggressive”. Both men are then seen to make their way outside.
Moments later, Masson is pulled away from a fracas at the door by security staff.
The footballer is then seen making “determined” efforts to get outside where, three seconds later, he floors Mr Noble with a single punch.
Sheriff Miller said: “You had the option to remain inside the premises. But instead you chose to leave and appeared to be quite determined to leave.
“You were acting in anger and in retaliation for Mr Noble’s previous aggressive behaviour towards you – but not at the time of an instant loss of control.”
Masson, of Buchan Road, Fraserburgh, will be sentenced next month.
The attack left Mr Noble seriously injured and doctors placed the young dad in a medically induced coma in an attempt to help his brain recover.
Since the assault the 34-year-old has been left suffering from memory loss and muscle weakness.
