Camelon offender 'stuck the head' on his pal then called an ambulance

A drunken argument got out of hand and led to one pal head butting the other to leave him lying in the street choking.
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Steven Rothnie (27) got into an argument with his friend – who was supposedly smashing bottles in the street – and then attacked him because he would not stop. Rothnie walked away from the man, leaving him lying in the street, but rushed back when he realised how badly he was hurt.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Rothnie had admitted the assault to injury and permanent disfigurement offence he committed in Watling Drive, Camelon on June 29 last year.

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Procurator fiscal depute Nahbeela Rahmatullah said: “It was 9pm and the victim and the accused were walking along Camelon Main Street, pushing each other. A witness saw two men arguing with each other on the pavement, with a third walking away from them.

Rothnie appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having admitted head butting his palRothnie appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having admitted head butting his pal
Rothnie appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having admitted head butting his pal

“The accused said something to the complainer, then head butted him, causing him to fall to the ground. The accused initially walked away and then heard the complainer making choking noises, appearing to be in pain.

“The accused ran back to him and an ambulance was called. A car arrived – it was the victim’s brother – and took him to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. He had a two to three inch cut, believed to be an inch deep, above his right eye.

“The accused told police he did headbutt the man, saying ‘it was a complete accident – I didn’t mean it to happen’.

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The court heard Rothine – a father of two young children – had educational difficulties.

Gordon Addison, defence solicitor, said: “They were out drinking and the complainer was smashing bottles, attracting attention from neighbours and Mr Rothnie tried to stop him.

“So we have Mr Rothnie sticking the head into his friend – I’m not suggesting he needed to do that. The two were friends.”

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Sheriff Christopher Shead placed Rothnie, Watling Avenue, Camelon, on a supervised community payback order for 12 months with the condition he complete 160 hours unpaid work in that time. He also ordered him to pay his victim £250 compensation at a rate of £20 per month.

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