Henry provoked into attack that left man unconscious, court told

A regular court offender rendered a man unconscious after punching him on the head at a country hall dance.

However Scott Henry, 24, of West Burrafirth, acted after being provoked at the Aith Hall in June.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard today that Henry was pushed to the limit after his victim described him as a “druggie” and said he was not welcome.

He lost his temper and committed the assault, knocking him out for a short time. Henry left the hall and went to an address in Whitelaw Road in Aith.

While there he was visited by a number of “large-built” males. There was a dispute which “spilled out onto the road” and the police were called.

However Henry’s night got no better when he was discovered holding a knife he had been using to make a sandwich.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said Henry had acted “in response to a degree of provocation”.

He said the men who visited him had maintained they were there “to ensure that was where the accused was, so that the complainer could safely make his way home”, although Mr Duncan added: “The credibility of that explanation would be hard to establish.”

He said it was accepted the knife found was one that belonged to the house. Henry was using it for “legitimate purposes” and had not had it at the hall.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Henry’s victim had been “generally goading him”.

Mr Allan said he had contacted a witness, who had taken her boyfriend home because he was being goaded in a similar way.

“Mr Henry’s version of events is that the person came towards him, set his pint glass down and moved towards him. That made him think he was about to be struck.”

Henry, who turned up late in court, said he had been up for two nights worrying about the case.

Calling for reports, sheriff Graeme Napier deferred sentence for two weeks.