A MAN who headbutted a mourner at the wake after his uncle’s funeral ended up in court.
Donald Maclennan (29) of Birchwood Court, Inverness, was ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service by sheriff after being found guilty of assault after a trial at Inverness Sheriff Court.
He had lodged a special defence of self-defence to a charge that he had headbutted 35-year-old Calum Campbell at the Heathmount Hotel on February 11 last year.
In evidence, Mr Campbell told Sheriff Alison Stirling he had gone to the funeral wake with Maclennan’s cousin, Gary Maclennan, to offer him some support.
Both described how Donald Maclennan had been arguing outside and was standing in front of them when he turned round and headbutted Mr Campbell.
They said the attack was unprovoked.
A few minutes later a scuffle between Mr Campbell and Donald Maclennan took place and Mr Campbell admitted punching his assailant when he was on the ground after pulling him over a car bonnet.
The funeral was in the afternoon and the incident took place about 10.30pm
Mr Campbell said he only had two or three pints of beer. He admitted punching Maclennan but only after he had been headbutted then grabbed by the throat.
He sustained a broken nose and lost four front teeth in the attack and was still receiving treatment.
Elizabeth Macdonald (50), Donald Maclennan’s mother, said she had seen Mr Campbell punch her son outside the pub and went back inside to get help.
She admitted her son was very drunk but denied he had been aggressive towards Mr Campbell.
She said she went inside to get others to deal with the situation and she was she was distressed having attended her brother’s funeral.
Sheriff Stirling said she was satisfied Ms Macdonald’s evidence did not substantiate a plea of self defence and she considered both Mr Campbell and Gary Maclennan as reliable witnesses.
Given the severity of the assault the sheriff and the fact previous fines on Maclennan have had no effect, she said a community pay back order was appropriate.
