Forres man who glassed step-dad and broke his jaw appears in court
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A FORRES man who, aged 16, assaulted his stepfather and left his jaw broken has been told to be of good behaviour during a court appearance.
On Thursday (October 19) Elgin Sheriff Court heard that the attacker used a glass jar in the attack – also punching his victim's head and body and inflicting serious injury.
After the assault, which took place at a property in Elgin in April 2020, staff at Dr Gray's Hospital confirmed that the stepfather's jaw was broken, deputy fiscal Karen Poke said.
The man, now aged 20, pleaded guilty to the violent incident.
Ms Poke said the crime happened after the victim became embroiled in a fight between the then 16-year-old attacker and a sibling.
The crime was not reported immediately after it took place, it was confirmed, after a query by Sheriff David Sutherland.
Solicitor Stephen Carty said there was "difficulty in the family dynamic at that time".
And a report prepared before Thursday's appearance showed that the attacker and his family were experiencing: "personal difficulties," he added.
"It was a very difficult time in the family," Mr Carty said.
"Tempers were getting somewhat frayed.
"There was no intent to inflict that level of injury."
Mr Carty also encouraged Sheriff Sutherland, in line with report recommendations, to give the attacker a chance to be of good behaviour before delivering a verdict on the case.
The man understood that punishment "may be more lenient" if he can stay out of trouble, Mr Carty added.
Sheriff Sutherland agreed to defer the case for the man to be of good behaviour.
The case will call again for a review at the end of January.
