Worker flipped and attacked boss with pole

Man ordered to pay victim compo

A worker who attacked his supervisor with a metal pole has been ordered to pay the victim £1000 in compensation.

David Otterson claimed he “flipped” after being asked to work “twice as hard” at his East Kilbride place of employment which produces glassware.

The dad of three appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week. He admitted striking the man repeatedly on the body to his injury at the Langlands Avenue factory on October 31 last year.

Sheriff Michael Higgins also ordered Otterson, 53, of Owen Avenue, East Kilbride, to perform 208 hours of unpaid community work.

The court heard that the men had worked together on the shop floor but the victim was promoted to supervisor.

Defence lawyer Andy Thomson said: “My client was being asked to work twice as hard and for longer hours.

“At the time of this incident his father had just passed away. He describes himself as having flipped.

“It’s clear from the summary of evidence that after being assaulted the complainer became physically involved with my client. That response was understandable. Mr Otterson paid a heavy price as he lost his job but, mainly due to his good work record, he has obtained new employment.

“He has a previous conviction for assault but that was 30 years ago and he hadn’t offended since then.”

Sheriff Higgins said Otterson had carried out an “unprovoked and somewhat sustained” attack.

He told the accused: “It involved you raining several blows on the complainer, but I take account of the circumstances and context, and the fact that some retribution was visited on you.

“The social work report assesses you as being at minimum risk of reoffending and of not being a wider threat to the public at large.

“In my view the custody threshold has been passed, but in all the circumstances I’m willing to take a step back from that.”

Otterson will also be under social work supervision for 12 months.