Man left with scar after assault outside Thurso bar
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A man was left with a permanent scar when trouble flared after customers were leaving a Thurso bar.
Scott McAlpine was punched in the face and sustained a cut which left him with a scar, Wick Sheriff Court was told on Wednesday.
His assailant, Thomas Galloway (30) pleaded guilty to the assault and was fined £300. He was also ordered by Sheriff David Sutherland to pay Mr McAlpine compensation of £250.
The incident occurred in Meadow Lane, Thurso, on April 2, last year.
David Barclay said that the two men were among others enjoying a drink in the nearby bar, throughout the evening.
The fiscal continued: "There were different groups in the bar and although they didn't know each other they were socialising and everyone was getting on fine."
However, Mr Barclay said the atmosphere changed and there were different versions as to why that had happened as customers were leaving the pub at closing time.
The fiscal said that outside, Galloway lashed out at Mr McAlpine with a single punch which caused him to fall to the ground.
Mr McAlpine started to bleed and efforts were made to stem the flow from a cheek area. Police who arrived on the scene took Mr McAlpine to hospital where a number of stitches were applied to the wound.
Mr Barclay added: "As a result, given the nature of the location and nature of the cut, there will be permanent disfigurement."
He added that the case originally began on petition but after further investigation, the charge was reduced to summary level.
Solicitor Sylvia Maclennan said that Galloway was embarrassed and apologetic. He was living in Thurso at the time but subsequently moved south to Matheson Terrace, Annan, Dumfries.
Miss Maclennan added: "He has no intention of returning north."
