Manknocked hotelworker unconscious

A man has been left counting the cost after he attacked a hotel worker in a Highland Perthshire tourist town car park - and knocked him unconscious.

Twenty-four-year-old Connor Coleman, of Park Terrace, Pitlochry, was ordered to pay £800 compensation to the victim at Perth Sheriff Court. He was also given a community payback order as a “direct alternative” to a jail term.

He will have to complete 200 hours of unpaid work within the next six months and will be supervised for six months.

He admitted that on January 14, 2018, at Fisher’s Hotel car park, Atholl Road, Pitlochry, he assaulted Claudio Hincu by repeatedly punching him on the head, rendering him unconscious.

He was subject to a July 18, 2017, bail order from the Perth JP Court at the time.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said the victim had left the hotel with a number of friends about 12.45am.

Other people intervened after the assault had taken place and managed to get Mr Hincu away.

He suffered bruising and swelling to both eyes, pain to the left side of his head as well as chipped teeth.

Mr Brown said he couldn’t be “certain” that all arose from the accused’s involvement.

Solicitor Paul Ralph, for Coleman, acknowledged it had been an “unpleasant incident.”

Imposing the unpaid work, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told the accused: “You don’t have an extensive record.

“But what’s concerning is that the conviction you have is for a directly analagous matter, albeit some time ago.

“This was an incident in which you had no reason to actually get involved.

“As a result of your intervention and actions, the complainer lost consciousness.

“You are in your early 20s and you have to be dissuaded from acting in this manner.”

The compensation will be paid at the rate of £200 a month.