Compensation order after assault in Thurso nightclub

A Thurso man has been ordered to pay a nightclub patron compensation of £500 for a serious attack on him.

Dale Taylor (41) previously admitted a charge of assault at Skinandi’s in Thurso, on November 5 last year.

Wick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that the incident followed a verbal exchange between the victim, Aaron McPhee, and Taylor’s daughter.

Grant Maclennan said that Mr McPhee was standing at the bar when he was grabbed from behind and put in a headlock, applied with “considerable force”.

The fiscal depute continued: “Mr McPhee was pulled backwards, causing him to fall to the floor and was left lying between the bar and the dancefloor. A couple of minutes later, he was repeatedly punched on the head.”

The police were summoned and after viewing CCTV footage, traced Taylor and his daughter in a nearby street and the accused was cautioned and charged.

Solicitor Fiona MacDonald said there was a background to the assault but that didn’t excuse Taylor’s actions.

Sheriff Neil Wilson, who saw a background report, told the accused, of Calder Drive, Thurso, that his behaviour was “entirely unacceptable” and was a serious matter that would have justified a custodial sentence.

The sheriff added: “It was not for you to execute summary justice.”

In addition to the compensation order, which must be paid within nine months, Taylor will carry out 130 hours of unpaid community work.