Thug punched deaf man in the face

From: Perthshire Advertiser - Perthshire,UK - May 23, 2007

A TEENAGER who struck a deaf man in broad daylight escaped a jail sentence at Perth Sheriff Court.

James Williamson (18) lashed out at Sean Kidd in the Fair City’s Fairfield district after a dispute over money turned nasty on February 13 this year.

Depute fiscal John Malpass told the court that lip-reader Mr Kidd (21), who wears a visible hearing aid, was walking in Menzies Court when he became aware of the accused and another person nearby.

“The accused approached and a discussion in relation to a loan of some money arose,” said the fiscal.

“This ended in a disagreement and the accused turned on the complainer.

“He punched him once to the face, knocking him to the ground.

“Another male joined him and the accused was seen to punch the complainer for a second time to the face before walking off.”

The incident was reported to the police and Williamson was later traced and detained.

As a result of the assault, the victim’s nose was swollen and he had a cut which needed to be glued.

Williamson’s solicitor Paul Ralph told the court that his client, who had no previous convictions for violent offences, spent 41 days in custody after he was remanded on February 15.

Williamson, of Seaview, Penclawdd, Wales, admitted that last February 13, at Menzies Court, Perth, while acting with another, he assaulted Sean Kidd and punched him repeatedly on the face, all to his injury, while on bail from Perth Sheriff Court.

Imposing a £200 fine, Sheriff Michael Fletcher told Williamson: “An attack like this for no apparent reason can regularly result in a custodial sentence.

“Taking into account your reasonably lengthy time in custody, in some ways you have discovered that.”

Williamson was also ordered to pay his victim £200 in compensation.

© 2007 Perthshire Advertiser