A PEACEMAKING ATTEMPT in a Rothes bar led to a man being assaulted and permanently scarred, Elgin Sheriff Court learned this week.
Michael McEwan stepped between two groups who were involved in a heated exchange in the Victoria pub on October 18 last year.
Facing Sheriff John Halley was 32-year-old Daniel Drennan, who head-butted Mr McEwan after he had stepped in to try and break up an argument between rival factions.
Fiscal Alison Wyllie told the court that there had been some bad feeling between customers who had been involved in a previous fracas, adding that various parties got involved in an argument and Mr McEwan decided to try and break it up.
“The accused grabbed him and head-butted him in the face,” the Fiscal explained, saying that resulted in creating a 3cm permanent scar on Mr McEwan’s upper lip.
Drennan’s solicitor Stephen Carty said there had been a tense atmosphere in the pub as a result of the argument a week earlier. Drennan, of New Street in Buckie, admitted butting Mr McEwan to his severe and permanent injury.
Mr Carty said that his client accepted that his reaction was “over the top” and it was unnecessary for him to do so in the circumstances.
Sheriff Halley ordered Drennan to pay a £400 fine and £200 in compensation to his victim.