Witnesses tell court of assaults before man’s death at taxi rank

Woman gives evidence in culpable homicide case saying she was left scarred after being knocked out

A woman has been left scarred and suffering from tinnitus after she was pushed to the ground during a taxi rank brawl that killed a Dundee man, a court has heard.

Sandra Baird, 64, was giving evidence on the third day of the trial against Adam Valentine, 25, and Wes Reid, 20.

The pair are accused of the culpable homicide of Brian Fox as well as a breach of the peace offence in the late hours of December 31 and the early hours of January 1 this year.

Valentine, of Perth Prison, faces a string of other assault charges. Both men deny the charges. Reid, of Newport Road, Tayport, claims to have been acting in self defence.

Mrs Baird told the High Court in Edinburgh she had been out with a friend to celebrate the New Year at the DCA, before heading to the taxi rank outside the Steeple Church, where a fight broke out.

She said she and her friend, Kenneth Simpson, were pushed to the ground from behind.

“We were looking the other way trying to not get involved,” she said.

“Then I was pushed to the ground and was knocked out.

“When I came to I was a bit out of it. “I have been left with a scar on my chin because it was an open wound and I have tinnitus because of the knock to the head.”

Mrs Baird was taken to hospital. The court was shown photographs of her injuries, including cuts and bruises to her face, arms and knees.

Also giving evidence yesterday was Amy McFadyen, 22, who said she tried to calm the situation.

Valentine is alleged to have assaulted her and her friend Katie Muir.

She said: “I was attacked on the side and an altercation began. I was getting my head kicked.

“There were quite a few blows.

“I was on the ground for 20 to 30 seconds. Once the blows had stopped I got up. I was on my knees for a little bit.”

She said she saw Mr Fox crash to the ground and a man, who she identified as Wes Reid, strike him.

“He fell back like a tree and we heard his head hit the floor,” she said. “Blood was coming out of his head.” Miss Muir, 24, said she was attacked by Valentine after she called the police.

She said: “I closed my eyes, I think it was a headbutt from the body language.

“My nose busted and was bleeding quite profusely.”

The trial before Lord Beckett continues.

Then I was pushed to the ground and was knocked out. WITNESS SANDRA BAIRD