Man jailed for broken bottle New Year attack

Victim was left with scars on his face and permanent injuries to his hand

A man who ruined a New Year’s party by glassing one of the guests minutes after the bells has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Daniel Barker left Joseph Quinn with scars on his face and head and permanent impairment to his hands following the attack in the early hours of January 1 last year.

Barker, 25, of Dalmahoy Drive, Dundee, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment committed on January 1 2017.

A court heard how Barker turned up at the party on Stirling Street at 9.45pm on Hogmanay – but had to be told to “calm down” after becoming “disruptive” by play fighting with other guests and repeatedly turning lights on and off.

He was eventually asked to leave by host Kimberly Mcgowan – but when Mr Quinn stepped in to eject him he lashed out.

Barker – who was previously jailed for dealing cannabis to children as young as 13 – repeatedly swung a broken bottle at him, slashing his face and cutting vital tendons in his hand.

Fiscal depute Stewart Duncan told Dundee Sheriff Court: “Everyone was

“

At that point the accused (Daniel Barker, pictured) turned round holding the broken bottle and repeatedly struck Mr Quinn to the face with the bottle

consuming alcohol and were in good spirits.

“He was asked to calm down and started arguing with Miss Mcgowan, who asked him to leave.

“At that point he was holding a bottle of red wine which he had been drinking from.

“Miss Mcgowan started escorting him to the door when the bottle hit a glass and broke.

“He held the remains of the bottle in his right hand and at that point Mr Quinn decided to get involved in ushering the accused to the door.

“They became involved in a confrontation and went out the door.

“They began to struggle as Mr Quinn tried to remove the accused from the property.

“At that point the accused turned round holding the broken bottle and repeatedly struck Mr Quinn to the face with the broken bottle.

“The complainer lifted his right hand in a defensive manner and his hand was also struck by the bottle.

“The accused left and an ambulance was called.

“Mr Quinn had a 3cm laceration to his forehead and five lacerations to the side of his face that required stitches.

“He had trouble flexing his hand and the wounds were explored in surgery.

“That revealed he had damaged flexor tendons, which were repaired with stitches.

“He has permanent scarring to his scalp, face, left ear and right hand and altered sensation or numbness to his right middle finger and stiffness in his middle and ring fingers.”

Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said Barker apologised for the vicious assault.