Pair clashed after emotions ran high over trial outcome
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The outcome of a criminal trial triggered a confrontation, Wick Sheriff Court heard last week.
Steven Bruce wasn’t happy about the verdict and paid David More a visit at his home in Seaforth Avenue, Wick, on December 6, 2019.
A struggle broke out between the two men during which Mr More was injured.
Bruce (45), of Waverley Road, Wick, admitted a reduced charge of breach of the peace and a record.
Explaining the background to the clash, fiscal David Barclay said that the trial had been held at a court outwith Caithness, previously.
He told Sheriff Andrew Berry: “It appears that there was a history of bad feeling about the outcome, among two opposing factions. Those on one side were happy with the outcome, those on the other felt disappointed. Tensions were running high at this stage.
"There was a suggestion that some people might even have been stoking the flames to keep emotions high.”
The fiscal said it wasn’t clear who did what after Bruce arrived at the house.
“Other people there became aware of a physical confrontation or altercation between the accused and Mr More. After a relatively brief struggle, Bruce left.”
Mr Barclay added that Mr More had a one-inch cut on the right side of his forehead which was bleeding. It was treated by a paramedic who wanted him to go to hospital, advice which he declined.
Sheriff Berry, who observed that Bruce had a number of unrelated matters pending, made him subject to a six-month good behaviour order.
