Courts in Moray: Takeaway worker knocked out former friend
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A takeaway worker has been convicted of assault after a long-running argument ultimately turned violent.
Mehmet Balci knocked his victim unconscious, breaking the man's nose and two of his teeth.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that both men are originally from Turkey and had once been friends.
However, the pair fell out due to strong differences in opinion about the political situation in their homeland.
Balci was working at Keith Best Kebabs when the other man came into the premises on February 10 to speak with a different member of staff.
The court heard that the assault took place several minutes later.
Fiscal Depute Shay Treanor said: "The accused punched the complainer in the face and he lost consciousness.
"Other witnesses intervened to shield the complainer.
"The accused then began to kick him in the face and body.
"Again, the others attempted to shield him, but they were overpowered by the accused who continued to kick him."
Balci then went into the kitchen, after which the other man regained consciousness.
Defence solicitor Matthew O'Neill stated that his client no longer worked at the takeaway in Keith.
The lawyer admitted that, while the two men were friends at one point, there had been "no love lost between them" in the time leading up to the assault.
However, Mr O'Neill added that Balci had since been in contact with a third party to try broker some sort of reconciliation.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank ordered the 44-year-old to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work for the community within the next year.
Balci, whose address was given in court papers as Cooperage Close, Elgin, was also placed under the court's supervision for the next 18 months.
