Man cleared after birthday party row

A man has been cleared of battering a guest with a bottle at his 50th birthday party.

Gerald Corry was accused of an assault that left his partner’s nephew needing stitches and staples in face wounds.

However, a jury returned a not proven verdict after trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week.

Corry, of Hazelwood Drive, Blantyre, denied assaulting a man to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement on July 26, 2020.

It was alleged he hit the man on the head with a bottle and punched him repeatedly outside Corry’s home.

The 51-year-old claimed he acted in self-defence.

The alleged victim told the court he was drunk and couldn’t remember anything about the alleged assault.

He said:“i can only assume we had a disagreement. I think Gerry put me out. He put his arm round my neck and walked me out.”

He also stated:“i’d had a few drinks and was merry drunk.

“I don’t really remember anything except waking up in hospital.”

However, a police officer said the alleged victim gave a different version of events in a statement shortly after the incident.

In the statement, read out in court, he is reported to have said:“i decided to leave.

“As I got out to the garden Gerry came after me and grabbed me.

“I tried to get away, but he hit me on the forehead with a bottle and then started to punch me.

“He kept saying he was going to smash me, but I staggered out of the garden.”

The police officer said that the alleged victim was “coherent” and capable of giving“a clear account of what had happened”.

There were concerns over how much blood he was losing. An ambulance could not be found so police officers took him to hospital.

A wound to his forehead was closed with four staples, while two cuts around his eye required a total of six stitches.

The officer said other partygoers were interviewed, but were “uncooperative”

He added:“i spoke to Gerald Corry and he denied any altercation had taken place.

“I didn’t see any injuries on him.”

I’d had a few drinks, was merry drunk .. I don’t really remember anything except waking up in hospital