Offshore worker fined over attack that left his victim scarred for life

A Christmas night out with friends ended in a street attack that left a man scarred for life, a court has heard.

Rory Conway attacked a fellow reveller on Aberdeen’s Belmont Street as the man enjoyed a festive night out in the city centre.

The 22-year-old offshore worker repeatedly punched his victim on the side of the head from behind, before fleeing the scene on December 18 last year.

Conway’s victim was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he received eight stitches to a laceration to his upper lip.

He was left permanently scarred and also suffered a swollen eye, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.

Fiscal depute Tom Procter said: “The complainer was on a work night out in Aberdeen with his friends.

“At around 1.30am they were making their way towards Belmont Street when they came across the accused and an argument took place between the accused and the complainer, before both parted ways.

“The complainer made his way on to Belmont Street, however, as he did so, the accused approached him from the rear and struck him three times to the right side of his head, causing him to fall to the ground.

“The accused subsequently ran off along Union Street and was traced a short time later.”

Conway admitted a charge of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Defence agent Laura Gracie said the offshore worker was a father-of-one and a first-time offender.

She said he’d given a “full explanation for how he finds himself in this situation” in a “candid” interview with social workers.

But the solicitor did not give details about the cause of the argument in open court.

Sheriff Andrew Miller said it was an “unpleasant incident”.

He added: “You assaulted this man by punching him repeatedly on the head, causing him to fall to the ground, as a result of which he received thankfully a small cut to his face.

“But nonetheless, it is a permanent reminder to him of this occasion where he was attacked by you on the street.

“It was an unpleasant incident and a serious matter.”

He fined Conway, of Hardgate, in Aberdeen, £220 and ordered him to pay a further £500 in compensation to his victim.

CHARGE: Rory Conway admitted assaulting a man who was on a Christmas night out.