Man glassed friend in Port Seton bar for no reason

A man who smashed a glass tumbler into his friend’s face at the Wemyss Hotel has been ordered to pay his scarred victim compensation.

The Wemyss Hotel in Port Seton. Picture: Google Maps

Dean Douglas launched the attack on friend Kieran Pearson as the pair drunk together at a hotel bar earlier this year.

Mr Pearson had been enjoying a day out with his brother watching the Edinburgh derby on television at the Wemyss Hotel, in Port Seton, East Lothian, when Douglas joined their company last January.

The atmosphere among the group was said to have been “jovial” for most of the day until 29-year-old Douglas smashed the pint glass into left side of Mr Pearson’s face.

The stunned victim – who will be permanently scarred - rushed to a nearby toilet to wash the blood away but it soon became apparent he would need hospital treatment.

Mr Pearson was taken to Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary where he had stitches inserted into the gaping wound.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told last month Mr Pearson will bear a permanent scar as a result of the “unprovoked” attack.

Fiscal depute Sarah Lumsden had said Mr Pearson and his brother attended the Port Seton bar to watch the Hearts v Hibs derby match on January 3 this year.

Ms Lumsden said: “Around 7pm the accused was in the company of Mr Pearson and his brother – there were no issues at that time.

“Mr Pearson was standing near to a pool table with the accused next to him. There seemed to be a jovial atmosphere.

“Without any warning the accused struck Mr Pearson in the face with the glass in his hand.”

The court was shown the disturbing CCTV footage showing Douglas pull back his hand and smash the glass into his victim’s face. The attack was said to have left Mr Pearson bleeding “very heavily”.

Ms Lumsden added the bloodied victim suffered a cut to the left side of his face and though he has made a full recovery he will be left permanently scarred.

Solicitor Kenny McFarlane said his client had “no recollection of events that day”.

Mr McFarlane added: “There was no rhyme or reason to it – there seemed to be a jovial atmosphere [beforehand].”

Douglas, from Prestonpans, East Lothian, appeared in the dock at the capital court and was ordered to pay Mr Pearson £750.

He was also sentenced to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work and placed on a 12-month supervision order.

Douglas pleaded guilty to assaulting Kieran Pearson by striking him on the head with a glass at the Wemyss Hotel, Port Seton, East Lothian, on January 3 this year.