‘Vicious assault on defenceless 59-year-old’

A man has been warned to expect a prison sentence after launching a “vicious assault”.

Gordon Keith, 46, of Meadowfield Crescent in Scalloway attacked his “defenceless” 59-year-old victim at an address in the village in September last year.

The emergency services were called after the man was spotted by a passer-by. The victim was taken to hospital, where he was kept overnight.

At Lerwick Sheriff Court today, procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said the complainer had said something “innocuous” that Keith had taken exception to.

Following the assault the victim had lain with his head on the sofa, obviously injured, before he was spotted.
Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence until 18th March, but he told Keith a custodial sentence was a likely outcome.

“This was a pretty vicious assault and it ended up in a defenceless person being taken to hospital by emergency services, and being kept overnight. It’s fortunate that no lasting injury was caused, but that doesn’t lessen the seriousness of the offence.

“You should be preparing yourself for the probability of a custodial sentence.”