Moray town centre assault left victim in Forres needing stitches

A middle-aged Moray man kneed and repeatedly punched his victim in the head after being provoked to some degree.

The attack happened at about 10pm on October 13, a matter yards away from Legends on Forres High Street.

The victim had just been asked to leave the bar, although the reason why was not openly stated at Elgin Sheriff Court.

He was then followed outside by Duncan Welsh who seized him by the collar, pulled him into a doorway and pinned him up against a wall.

Fiscal depute Shay Treanor told the court that the subsequent attack, which was captured on CCTV, went on for about two minutes.

The victim subsequently needed hospital treatment for a cut above an eyebrow which required stitches and has left a permanent scar.

Welsh was traced by police at his home on the town’s Tolbooth Street later that same night.

The 55-year-old’s solicitor. Grant Daglish, stated his client had always been in employment.

The lawyer added: “He has never been in court before and I doubt we will see Mr Welsh here again. He’s been classed in the minimum risk of reoffending.”

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov said: “The court accepts you acted under some provocation and that you’re a first-time offender.”

However, due to the extent of the attack, the sheriff ordered Welsh to pay his victim £500 in compensation with the next seven months.

In addition, she also ordered him to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work for the community.