Fife woman scarred for life by barrel on her 21st birthday

A Fife woman out with her friends celebrating her 21st birthday was left scarred for life when she was hit on the head by a metal barrel.

Kirsten Kirk was struck leaving the skin on her forehead “flapping” before she was rushed to hospital covered in blood.

Michael McGregor admitted throwing the barrel but claimed it was not aimed at anyone.

After a five-day jury trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, a charge of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement against McGregor was found not proven.

McGregor, 21, of Park Road, Kirkcaldy, was found guilty at Wemyss Buildings, High Street, Kirkcaldy, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing and repeatedly making offensive remarks towards Miss Kirk, Lori Adams and Megan Goodsir and threatening them with violence on April 23 last year.

He was also charged with assaulting Miss Kirk by throwing a metal barrel at her, which struck her on the face to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The jury returned a verdict of not proven on this charge.

Ms Kirk, from Kennoway, told the court she had met friends in Leven before going to Kitty’s nightclub in Kirkcaldy and that they then went to a party at the Wemyss Building, where the incident occurred.

She said as she went down the stairs of the close, McGregor was angrily coming up saying he was looking for one of their friends. The girls asked him to “leave it”. Ms Kirk said: “He was pointing and shouting directly at me before he threw it.”

She told the court her wound required 22 stitches and she had been left with a scar on her forehead.

McGregor admitted calling the girls names as he went back up the stairs and said this was him “being stupid”.

He said when he got to the landing the flat door was slammed in his face as he tried to get back in and it was this which caused him annoyance.

He then picked up the barrel and threw it down the stairs.

Sheriff Charles MacNair fined McGregor £300.