A man left unconscious with a severe head wound after an unprovoked push to the ground was told by doctors he was two inches from being paralysed or dead.
Stuart Jackson (51) had been out for a few drinks with pals in Inverness in June 2023 when he was approached by 35-year-old Michael Agnew.
The two didn’t know each other and before Stuart had a chance to react, he was pushed by Agnew and hit his head on the pavement.
With blood “spurting out” of his head, Stuart’s eyes rolled back and he was knocked unconscious for a few minutes.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Agnew, who admitted assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment, then went back to help the casualty’s friend apply first aid and waited for police to arrive.
He was arrested and charged with assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said these details were “weighty” in his decision not to jail Agnew who was sentenced on January 7 and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and pay his victim £2500 in compensation.
But Stuart – who needed seven staples and was left with a large permanent scar – believes the sentence was too lenient.
The attack affected his mental health and his work and he says he has “rarely” left the house since.
Stuart Jackson’s scar from the attack.
Stuart, a chef, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, said: “The guy that was putting the staples in my head said I was incredibly lucky – it was a couple of inches away from affecting my spinal cord.
“My anxiety went through the roof following the attack and my ADHD – I hardly ever go out now.
“I’ve been a chef for 30 years but things that should be automatic and impulsive I’ve had to think about again – it’s really frustrating.
“In my opinion, the sentence is shocking – there are people inside for the non-payment of TV licenses but he’s walking around pushing people around and nearly killed me and he’s got a fine and community service.”
Stuart doesn’t remember much of the evening – but was told by his friends that the man approached him wanting a fight.
He said: “We were at a local pub for the evening.
“All I remember is leaving the pub, walking up the high street and waking up in hospital.
Stuart Jackson’s wound from the attack.
“I’ve been told by friends what happened because I have no memory from the fall.
“I wasn’t drunk, just joking and laughing amongst mates.
“Apparently he came up wanting to fight me, thinking we were laughing at him.
“He pushed me and lost my balance and hit my head on the pavement.”
Stuart spent five hours in hospital, but the last effects of the attack have caused him more problems.
Stuart Jackson on the night of the attack.
He said: “They said everything was fine and I was actually okay, it’s the long-term effects that I don’t feel any better from.
“I’ve since come out of a relationship I was in at the time and I just wasn’t myself getting snappy and irritable.
“I wasn’t concentrating on work and I had a panic attack which I’d never had before and my doctors signed me off for four months.”