Chef attacker gets his just deserts in court

An attacker who punched celebrity chef Nick Nairn as he walked down one of Aberdeen’s busiest streets was yesterday fined over the assault.

Scott Smith admitted striking the renowned chef – who runs a cookery school and pizza restaurant in the city – on the head in Union Street on December 22.

The 35-year-old, of Aberdeen, was fined £900 by Sheriff Raymond McMenamin at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Following the attack Nick tweeted a picture of the injuries he suffered as police launched a hunt for his attacker.

Smith was arrested days later and released on an undertaking to appear at court yesterday.

Speaking after the assault, Nick told how his partner tried to hit Smith with her handbag as he lay injured on the ground.

Julia Foster struck Smith with her Boden handbag as he made off following the attack.

Nick, 58, said: “She was hitting the guy with her handbag. She’s a real have-a-go hero. I remember watching her thinking ‘Christ almighty’. You wouldn’t cross her.

“Other people saw what was happening and came over to help right away. The guys realised it wasn’t a good idea to hang about and scarpered.”

Police carried out tests on the handbag, filled with a dog lead, sunglasses and keys, in the hope it might have picked up some DNA from the attacker.

Julia said: “I think a red mist must have come down. I was incensed. It’s a good job it’s not a fancy handbag.”

Nick told how on December 22 he had visited his restaurant in Aberdeen and had taken staff for thank you drinks that night.

He and Julia then decided to walk back to their hotel across the city centre before an altercation with Smith and his friend in the city’s Union Street.

Nick Nairn was hit in the face.