Moray club-goer knocked out former school pal
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A man who knocked out a former schoolmate in a nightclub has been ordered to pay compensation.
Michael Johnston had been out in Buckie town centre on December 10 when, by chance, he met the other man in a pub.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that, at about 11pm, both of them went separately to the same nightclub.
Procurator Fiscal Karen Poke stated that CCTV footage from inside the club showed Johnston throwing a punch which knocked his victim to the floor.
She said: "Two witnesses attended to the complainer and attempted to revive him, but he remained unresponsive for a couple of minutes."
The victim's girlfriend was contacted via social media.
A call was made to the emergency services and the police and an ambulance arrived at the scene.
Johnston, who's aged 34, was later traced and arrested.
His victim, meanwhile, was found to have been left with a broken tooth.
The court was told that the pair had grown up together.
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty stated that the incident remained "a matter of great regret" to Johnston.
The lawyer added that his client had no previous convictions for violence, and his behaviour on the night was "out of character".
Johnston, of Seafield Street, was ordered to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work for the community within the next year.
In addition, he was told to pay £500 to his victim as compensation.
