Scaffolder who was attacked with bat is in court for arming self with knife

Published on Tuesday 30 September 2008 09:54

A SCAFFOLDER who was attacked by strangers with a baseball bat, found himself in court after arming himself with a knife.

Ross Hoy, 38, of Caledonian Crescent, went home after being attacked, picked-up the knife and went back out.

But because of the injuries he had received, he collapsed in the street and when paramedics arrived to take him to hospital, they found the knife.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Hoy was ordered to perform 160 hours of Community Service.

Defence agent, Rhona McLeod, said Hoy's recollections of the bizarre incident were "very hazy". He had been drinking in a pub and was walking home when a group of people he did not know, attacked him with a baseball bat.

"He has no idea why he was assaulted" she said. Hoy managed to run away and as he did so his attackers shouted: "We know where you live and we are going to get you".

After getting the knife from his home, Hoy went back out, but collapsed in the street. "There was no justification for him having a knife" said Ms McLeod.

"He is not someone who has ever carried a weapon and ought to have known better. He describes himself as feeling disgusted by his action".

The baseball bat attack had left her client with a head injury, broken thumb and injuries to his back and ribs.

Sheriff Gordon Liddle said that given the circumstances of the case he would select the alternative to a custodial sentence and ordered Hoy to perform 160 hours of Community Service.