£1500 for spade attack

An elderly man is to receive £1500 compensation from a neighbour who battered him with a spade.

Jim Stevenson confronted the 72-yearold pensioner as he was putting his bin out for collection late at night.

In the aftermath of the violent attack the victim had 10 staples put in a head cut and seven stitches into a deep wound to his thigh.

Stevenson, 58, admitted assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

It happened outside his home in Lloyd Street, Motherwell, on April 19, 2020.

Jennifer Cunningham, prosecuting, said the neighbours had been friends but prior to the attack hadn’t spoken to each other for a year due to an“ongoing dispute”.

The pensioner was putting his bin out when he noticed Stevenson banging on the window.

He ignored this but his neighbour came out and demanded a“square go”.

Ms Cunningham told the court:“The accused punched [the victim] who retaliated by punching him.

“They began to fight and were rolling about on the grass. The accused stood up, picked up a spade and went back towards [the pensioner] who was still lying on the grass. He struck him repeatedly on the head and body with the spade. Both men were covered in blood.”

The elderly man managed to grab one end of the spade and shouted,“That’s it”. Stevenson then stopped the attack.

Defence agent Matthew McGovern accepted it was a serious matter but urged Sheriff John Speir not to jail his client.

He pointed out that Stevenson has a “limited”criminal record and social workers assessed him as being at“minimal” risk of re-offending.

Mr McGovern added:“He is remorseful and recognises the impact his behaviour had on the victim.

“He has not offended since this incident.” The victim told the court in a statement that he has“ongoing difficulties”as a result of his injuries.

Sheriff Speir told Stevenson the situation was“very finely balanced”but he was prepared to impose an alternative to prison. He said:“Reports highlight you have had mental health difficulties. Your occupational therapist describes this offence as totally out of character.”

Stevenson, who receives state benefits, must pay the compensation at £100 per month. He will be under supervision for a year and carry out 300 hours of unpaid community work.