Drugged-up man attacked total stranger

Asupermarket worker randomly attacked a delivery driver after consuming a cocktail of drink and drugs.

Stuart King ranted incoherently and squared up to the stranger as she tried to drop off groceries to homes in Forfar.

He then punched her on the head and kicked her in the stomach.

The 24-year-old, who has no memory of the assault, was later found by police lying on the ground nearby.

He admitted to officers he had taken a combination of alcohol, speed and cannabis.

King appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and was ordered to pay compensation to his victim.

Sheriff Derek Reekie told him: “This is the first time you have come before the court, and I hope for your sake it’s also the last time.”

The sheriff said: “This is a not-insignificant offence.

“Clearly alcohol explains it but it is absolutely no excuse.

“I think that the custody threshold has been met but I am persuaded to deal with this with a community payback order.”

King, of Easterbank, Forfar, was placed on supervision for a year and ordered to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay £280 to the driver he assaulted.

Fiscal depute Jill Drummond said: “The complainer was at the time working as a delivery driver, alongside another witness.

“The accused was not known to either of them.”

She told the court: “On Sunday May 23 they were making a food delivery to Lordbury Place, Forfar.

“The complainer was driving the vehicle and reversed it into a parking space.”

King began kicking the van, while shouting and swearing.

“He was rambling and not making much sense,” said Ms Drummond.

“Witnesses believed that the accused was under the influence of drink or drugs.”

King continued to rant and swear. When the driver approached him, King pushed his head into her head.

“Fearing that she was about to be assaulted, the complainer pushed him away,” added Ms Drummond.

“The accused responded by punching her forehead and kicking her stomach.”

The driver phoned the police.

“A neighbour tried to calm the accused down,” said the fiscal depute.

“Police arrived and found the accused lying on the ground nearby.

“He was picked up and placed in the police vehicle.”

Ms Drummond said: “The complainer did not require any medical

treatment but she was left with a bump to her forehead.”

King told police he had taken alcohol, speed and cannabis.

He was taken to the accident and emergency unit at Ninewells Hospital.

While there, he told a police officer “I will break your face,” while standing before him with his fists clenched.

King admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive way at Lordbury Place and Ninewells in May last year.

He pled guilty to assaulting the delivery driver.

A solicitor for King said he was “extremely remorseful” and that his behaviour was “entirely out of character”.

He had gone out drinking at midday but had no recollection of his actions.

“This is his first offence and I would not expect to see him back in this court,” the solicitor said.

FIRST OFFENCE: Stuart King was spared a jail sentence.