Builder pays price for assaulting former client over unpaid debt

A 35-YEAR- OLD builder from Oban has been fined £ 800 for assaulting a man over an outstanding payment.

Calum MacLeod repeatedly kicked and punched the victim to the head and body on December 17, 2016.

He appeared at Oban Sheriff Court on Tuesday July 18, where he was told that it was only by the grace of God that he didn’t receive a custodial sentence.

Procurator fiscal Eoin McGinty told the court that MacLeod was walking home after a night out when, at around 1am, at the top of George Street, he spotted the victim, who was leaning against a wall eating. MacLeod crossed the road and confronted him. During the heated discussion, MacLeod punched the victim on the head. He then continued to kick him on the head and face a number of times while he was on the ground.

MacLeod’s solicitor said that he acted out of character and that he approached him regarding an outstanding payment of £ 5,481, saying the work he carried out was done to a high standard.

And on the night in question, the solicitor told the court, MacLeod was laughed at and was told he was not getting any payment.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes said: ‘I have these photographs and I am quite shocked by seeing them.

‘I have seen cases go to the High Court where people have been killed by a single strike and people are put away for a long time.

‘ It is only by the grace of God that you are not in that position.’

MacLeod received a reduced fine of £ 800 because of his early guilty plea.