Punch broke teenager's nose

Assault left 16-year-old with dental damage needing a £2000 operation

A SINGLE punch, thrown by offshore worker Michael Nicolson, said to have "a hardman reputation", broke the teenage victim’s nose in an early-morning incident, and left him facing dental treatment costing £2000, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.(Friday)
Nicolson, of Willowbank, Wick, admitted, on indictment, having assaulted Scot Reid, outside a takeway in the town’s High Street, to his severe injury.
The incident occurred as a group of youths were milling around, outside the Bombay Spice shortly before 1am on April 8.
David Barclay, prosecuting, said there were “slightly conflicting” versions of events but Nicolson (37) said something to one of the group who told him “in robust terms” to go away and leave him alone.
Nicolson then lashed out punching 16-year-old Mr Reid once in the face. Mr Barclay said that medics had considered resetting the nose but had delayed doing so, to see if such a procedure would be necessary in the event of the teenager developing breathing difficulties. Turning to the damage to Mr Reid’s teeth, Mr Barclay said that if NHS funding was not available, the victim would be faced with treatment costing some £2000, not counting travels costs to and from Inverness.
Nicolson’s solicitor, Iain Jane, said that the accused had been for a night out in Wick and had gone to Bombay Spice for a takeaway. He had consumed “far too much” drink which had inhibited his decision-making. He became aware of a certain anti-social element jostling an elderly man, outside.
Mr Jane told the court that Nicolson didn’t take kindly to this and went outside to see if the group would be brave enough to take someone bigger, like him, on. One of the group told him where to go and the accused lashed out, hitting Mr Reid in the face
Nicolson immediately regretted what he had done and went straight to the police station and gave himself up. He was bitterly disappointed in himself at the sort of behaviour he thought he had left behind.
Mr Jane said: “He has been involved in a number of fights and incidents in the past and has gained an unwanted reputation of being a hardman. Some young males would goad him, wanting to be seen to be taking him on. He has turned the other cheek which is what he should have done in this case.”
Nicolson was apologetic for his “inappropriate” behaviour and was prepared to pay his victim, currently having to wear an “embarrassing”brace, the cost of the dental treatment, if it would mean a quicker operation, and compensation.
Sheriff Andrew Berry, who described the case as “far from straightforward”, call for a social inquiry report, observing that the first conviction in Nicolson’s record was for “an act of violence” as was the latest one.The accused will be sentence on August 3.