Hidden syringe sparked assault

A DISCARDED syringe and needle hidden behind a couch cushion apparently sparked an attack by the father of a seven-month-old baby, Elgin Sheriff Court has heard.

Christopher Gosling (21) pleaded guilty to repeatedly punching his victim on the head during the incident at 14 Harbour Street, Buckie, on January 15 this year.

Gosling, of 59 Turner Street, Keith, was sentenced by Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood to 180 hours of community service.

The court heard from depute fiscal Ian Warburton that Gosling and his victim had been friends before the incident.

Mr Warburton said there had been an argument between the pair, which escalated to such a degree that Gosling ended up punching his victim at least four times to the head.

It bloodied his face and resulted in blood splattering on the wall. The man was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin with bruising to both eyes.

Solicitor Robert Cruickshank said that at the time of the attack, the two men had been living at the same address with Gosling’s then-partner and their seven-month-old child.

Mr Cruickshank said both men had been drinking to excess on the day of the assault.

"What sparked the argument is that the accused found a syringe and needle behind a cushion on the couch," said Mr Cruickshank.

Mr Cruickshank said Gosling believed the needle to belong to his victim, whom he said had a history of using drugs.

"There was an argument, and the concern was that the needle had been left lying around and the seven-month-old might find it," he added.

Mr Cruickshank said Gosling had initially been approached by his victim, believing he was going to be struck.

And while he said the first punch thrown by Gosling was in self-defence, he acknowledged that the subsequent blows were "cruel excess".

Mr Cruickshank said Gosling, who is unemployed, had now separated from his partner and is in sole custody of their child.

He therefore appealed to Sheriff Fleetwood not to hand Gosling, who had a previous conviction for assault, a custodial sentence.

Sheriff Fleetwood instead sentenced Gosling to a lengthy stint of community service.

"As far as I am concerned this was an unprovoked attack by a drunken lout," Sheriff Fleetwood said.