Jailed over attack that left friend’ s jaw broken

Aman has been jailed for an attack on a friend that left his victim requiring a titanium plate in his jaw.

Samuel McCluskey, 34, also chased a woman who was walking her dog.

McCluskey was brought from HMP Perth to Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to admit two offences.

He pled guilty to a threehour attack on drinking buddy Paul Reid, which left him at risk of potential neuropathic repercussions.

McCluskey was drinking at his home in Albany Street, Dunfermline, with Mr Reid on December 17.

At around 10pm Mr Reid made a comment about McCluskey’s son.

Depute fiscal Claire Bremner said: “The accused was intoxicated. His demeanour changed. He stood up as the complainer was going to leave the locus and repeatedly punched and kicked the complainer on the head and body.

“This went on, on and off, for around three hours.

“The accused eventually fell asleep.”

Mr Reid tried to leave again but McCluskey woke up and spat on his face.

A severely injured Mr Reid made his way back to his flat but, having no key, had to sleep in the close, where his father found him around noon the next day.

Mr Reid, who was unable to speak due to the pain, had fractures on both sides of his jaw that required titanium plates.

He also had a fractured wrist, which doctors said was a defensive injury, and numbness in his lip due to nerve injury, potentially due to neuropathic pain.

His ability to open his mouth and chew has been affected.

At around the same time Mr Reid was found by his father, McCluskey was spotted banging on windows in Albany Street and caught the attention of a female dog walker.

McCluskey approached and said: “I know this dog.”

He tried stroking the dog but when his hand missed he became angry.

As the woman walked off he followed, shouting and swearing at her, and said: “I’m going to take that dog off you in five minutes” and “I’m going to do you in”.

As she tried to flee McCluskey, who was barefoot, gave chase but slipped on wet grass.

The woman called her partner and then the police. For McCluskey, solicitor Christine Hagan said: “It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that Mr McCluskey has had some significant issues with substance and alcohol consumption.

“He has had a short prison sentence in the past.

“He recognises that this is a serious matter.” Sheriff Alastair Brown described the attack as “an assault over an extended period of time”.

He told McCluskey: “You inflicted very serious injuries.

“You inflicted damage that will have long-lasting, permanent effects on Mr Reid and that offence is to be regarded as very serious.”

McCluskey’s level of intoxication as he chased the dog walker was “no excuse,” he added.

McCluskey admitted assaulting Mr Reid to his severe injury and permanent impairment and acting in a manner “likely to cause fear or alarm” the next day.

He was jailed for 39 months for the attack and a further 15 months for having chased the dog walker.

Samuel McCluskey.