Victim was assaulted by ‘friend’ as footage shows

An assault victim insisted he hadn’t been attacked despite CCTV footage of the violent incident and his girlfriend filming it.

The man and Dean McLees were said to be boyhood friends who’d fallen out.

McLees, 28, appeared from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.

He admitted assaulting his friend in Spruce Way, Holytown, on March 29 last year.

Chloe O’Hara, prosecuting, said McLees kicked and shoved his victim, causing him to fall. He then stamped on his body and punched him before making off.

A CCTV operator alerted the police and officers were shown mobile phone footage of the attack by the victim’s girlfriend.

The fiscal stated:“The victim had a black eye, but he denied being assaulted or knowing anyone called Dean.”

He claimed he had sustained the black eye previously.

Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said the pair had been drinking and the victim couldn’t remember any violent incident.

The solicitor added:“They are boyhood friends and remain pals.

“Damage had been caused during a carry on at McLees’s mum’s home and they had a disagreement over who was responsible.”

In a police statement, the victim’s mum described the pair as“like brothers”.

Mr Bruce said roofer McLees, who has a history of violent offending, had been held in custody since August awaiting the case.

He added:“It was a drunken disagreement and they remain friends.”

Sheriff John Speir noted that

McLees has a“bad”record, but released him on a 12-month supervision order because of the time he had spent in prison.

The Sheriff told the dad of one:“The social work report holds out some optimism that you are about to turn your life around. I hope you can do that.”

McLees will also be electronically tagged for six months, meaning he’s under an 8pm to 7am daily curfew.