‘Violent thug’ jailed for attacking dad on way to Wick nursery
A “violent thug” who left his victim in “a terrible state” after unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks on an unsuspecting father going to collect his child has been jailed for 30 months.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank saw photographs of Graham Bain’s injuries which were inflicted by 29-year-old Wick man Eddie MacGregor in the unprovoked attack in an alleyway leading to the Pulteneytown People’s Project nursery on August 2, 2024.
MacGregor, a former neighbour of Mr Bain, followed him into the lane, punched him to the ground, kicked him twice on the head and repeatedly punched him on the head and body in the lunchtime incident which the sheriff described as “a particularly vicious and unprovoked attack”.
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Inverness Sheriff Court: “He gave no reasons for the attack. Witnesses in an office in the alley heard the commotion and contacted the police.
“Mr Bain suffered extensive bruising to the left side of his head, measuring 13cm by 13cm, and there was a footprint mark on his arm. A CT scan showed no skull fractures but his nose was fractured.”
Ms Eastwood added that Mr Bain also suffered a brain injury.

MacGregor was traced and arrested a short time afterwards and has been on remand since the attack.
MacGregor previously admitted assault to severe injury and sentence had been deferred for a background report.
Defending, Myrhin Hill said: “He had an adverse childhood experience and acts impulsively. He has a history of alcohol and substance misuse and suffers from poor mental health, and plans to move away from the area on his release.
“There was a history between parties over a short period of time.”
Sentencing MacGregor – backdated to August last year – the sheriff told him: “I have seen the photographic evidence and the terrible state Mr Bain was in as a result. There are eight previous convictions for assault on your record and seven of them are assault to injury.
“You are a violent thug and acted like a violent thug.”