Angus town rivalry was source of pub assault, court hears

“Bad blood” between two Angus towns was blamed for a pub assault which saw one pensioner attack another.

Ernest Cheyne from Brechin repeatedly punched David Hill to his injury at the Star Hotel in Montrose over “back in the day” rivalry between the historic burghs.

The 66-year-old retired lorry driver appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court, which heard the first offender was full of “sincere remorse” but did not want to pay compensation to his victim.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said 66-year-old Mr Hill had been drinking in the Star Hotel with his friends for several hours before Cheyne came in on March 6 this year.

Bar staff were told he was banned from several pubs in Brechin and a “heated” discussion with Mr Hill ended in him punching the complainer repeatedly.

Mr Kermode said the complainer sustained bruising and swelling, and cuts around one eye, his lip and nose, but he did not seek medical attention.

Defence agent Craig Scott said: “The complainer is known to him, there is distant discontent between them.

“There is historic, back in the day, difficulty between those in Brechin and those in Montrose.”

Mr Scott said his client was told to go “back to Brechin” before he launched his attack.

“Given the bad blood between the complainer and Mr Cheyne he is very keen to avoid any compensation – there is the criminal injuries route for that.”

Cheyne, of Eastbank, admitted assaulting David Hill, repeatedly punching him on the head to his injury.

Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown deferred sentence to December 7 for good behaviour.