“BAD blood” between two families led to a Galashiels father and son attacking a man in a pub toilet, Selkirk Sheriff Court heard on Monday.
Raymond Sutherland, 52, and his 27-year-old son, Des, both of Balnakiel Terrace, pleaded guilty to, while acting with others, assaulting a man to his injury at the Woodcutter pub in Galashiels on October 6.
Depute procurator fiscal Tessa Bradley said the offence was committed against a “background of ongoing bad blood between two families”.
The victim had been drinking in the pub on a Saturday night when Des Sutherland’s brother came into the premises around 6.30pm, and was told to leave by the complainer.
When he informed other members of his family, the two accused went to the pub about half-an-hour later.
Ms Bradley said the man was in the toilet when four men, including the two accused, came in behind him.
“He was struck on the shoulder from behind and the force was such that he fell to the ground. He was then subjected to a barrage of kicks and punches, and tried to protect himself by covering his head,” said Ms Bradley.
The four men left the pub and the victim was found lying bleeding on the toilet floor. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, having sustained two cuts to his forehead and bruising.
Raymond Sutherland initially denied being at the Woodcutter and gave police a “no-comment” interview, while Des Sutherland admitted his involvement, claiming to have acted alone.
Ed Hulme, representing Raymond Sutherland, said there had been ongoing problems between the two families, adding: “Des was going to the pub and he decided to go with him, in the hope that things wouldn’t escalate.”
Des Sutherland’s solicitor, Ross Dow, said there had been “a litany of abuse towards the family” and his client “saw red” and went to the pub. “He did take the law into his own hands, and he shouldn’t have,” he added.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond, deferring sentence until March 11 for reports, said: “This was a planned assault deliberately carried out with others which you set out to carry out in a public place.”