Patrick Kerr, 33, and Simon Tierney, 38, blinded university lecturer Antonio Grant at Rewind Festival after they became angry that he had refused a chip from them
Two violent thugs who left a university lecturer blind in one eye after he refused their offer of a chip at a music festival have been jailed.
Patrick Kerr, 33, and Simon Tierney, 38, blinded Antonio Grant in one following the attack at the Rewind Festival at Sone Palace, Perthshire on July 22, 2023. The 53-year-old lecturer had been at the festival with his family and had engaged in a “polite” conversation with the pair, who he did not know before the festival. But when Mr Grant decided to walk away from an “aggressive” Tierney, he was set upon by the thug after he refused the offer of a chip from him.
Both then punched and kicked Mr Grant before knocking him to the ground. They landed more blows on his head before security arrived to pull them away.
Mr Grant needed a metal plate inserted in his jaw following the assault. He was also left blinded in one eye.
The pair separately admitted to having assaulted Mr Grant, leaving him with a severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment. Tierney, who previously ran a gas fitting company, pleaded guilty at a hearing last summer.
Sentencing had been delayed until the end of Kerr’s trial in Dundee last month but he later admitted to the same charges as his accomplice on the second day of the case. Kerr was jailed for five and a half years today with Tierney being sentenced to four and a half years.
The duo, both of Glenrothes, Fife, will be supervised for another two years once they are released. A non-harassment order was also imposed, banning them from approaching or contacting the victim for an indefinite period.
Prosecutor Brian Bell explained at the hearing in Dundee how Mr Grant was set upon by the pair, the Daily Record reported. The advocate depute added: “He was punched on the head and knocked to the ground. Both were seen to repeatedly punch and kick him on the head and body while he was there. Security and others came to assist and were pulled away.
“The incident appeared to have been brief, but (Mr Grant) was described as being kicked and punched with force.” The assailants were held and had insisted they had been attacked.
Tierney claimed he had been knocked out and, when he came to, spotted Kerr fighting with others. Mr Bell then outlined the extensive damage to one of Mr Grant’s eyes.
He added: “He has suffered the permanent loss of vision in his right eye.” It remains a possibility he may need to have it removed at a later stage.
Mr Grant, who already suffered from a sight condition before the assault, also needed extensive dental work for six broken teeth. Mr Bell said the attack had resulted in “life changing consequences” for the victim.
Kerr’s lawyer David Taylor today said the ex-bricklayer had been in “a spiral of decline” at the time due to personal issues. He continued: “He is ashamed of his behaviour. He wishes to convey his apologies to the victim.”
Gordon Martin defending Tierney said it appeared in a pre-sentencing report the thug was trying to “minimize” his involvement, but that had “not been his intention.”
Lord Renucci went on to say both had “anger management” issues and that they were “no stranger to the courts.” due to their criminal records. The judge said: “You have both pleaded guilty to what can only be described as a brutal, cowardly alcohol fuelled attack on a vulnerable victim. The impact and consequences of your actions have been shattering to him and will be lifelong.”