Welder fined for unprovoked attack

An apprentice welder who launched an unprovoked attack on an innocent man was fined at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Appearing from custody Martin Kenneth Mackay, 18, of Stendaal, South Nesting, pleaded guilty to punching the man on the head to his injury on Lerwick’s Esplanade in the early hours of Sunday.

The court heard that Mackay, who had been drinking since 7pm on Saturday evening, stepped out in front of the man in an aggressive manner and punched him on the back of the head, causing a lump. The man, who had been heading to the chip shop, had no idea who his attacker was.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Mackay, who has no previous convictions, had had “way too much” to drink and remembered nothing about the incident. He had spent two nights in custody and now felt embarrassed, especially as he knows the victim’s brother, and plans to apologise.

Sheriff Philip Mann fined Mackay £160 and told him he would have to have a “careful look” at his behaviour while drinking. If he was drinking so much he could not remember anything, the sheriff warned: “Things are only going to get worse.”