'Memory' victim attacker jailed

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Relatives have hit out after a man who left his victim unable to remember his name following an attack in Aberdeen was jailed for 30 months.

Andrew Murray, 45, was assaulted by Shaun Ross, 23, during a football row.

Mr Murray needs constant help from his wife and family to remember his name, address and details of his marriage.

Ross, who admitted assault, was jailed at the High Court in Edinburgh. Relatives of the victim said they were "annoyed and disappointed".

The incident took place near the entrance to St Nicholas Graveyard in Union Street in February.

Ross was defying a night-time ban on him entering Aberdeen city centre imposed a week earlier.

He (Ross) will be walking the streets of Aberdeen again in 18 months time. I don't think that's fair Stan GordonVictim's brother-in-law

Mr Murray was standing at a bus shelter when an argument about football broke out. Ross ended up getting involved in the row and punched Mr Murray.

He struck his head on the bus shelter before landing heavily on the road, striking the back of his head.

Ross admitted assaulting Mr Murray to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life.

Mr Murray is unable to get out of bed on his own and needs help with feeding and hygiene.

Defence solicitor advocate George Mathers said Ross had been drinking with friends at home before the assault.

He said: "They left and he became bored and left for more drink and more entertainment. That is why he came to be in the vicinity of Union Street, an area of Aberdeen he should not have been in."

'Catastrophic consequences'

Mr Mathers said Ross had "idiotically" decided to get involved after the argument broke out and was punched - though not by Mr Murray - and lashed out.

He said Ross wished to express how sorry he was for the "catastrophic consequences".

Relatives of Mr Murray said they were annoyed and disappointed

Judge Lord Brailsford told Ross he accepted that the consequences of the assault were "unintended".

Lord Brailsford said: "The results of that blow were catastrophic.

"As a result of your criminal behaviour Mr Murray has been left in a very significantly disabled condition and is likely to remain that way and that is a tragedy for him and his family."

He was jailed for 27 months for the assault and a further three months for breaching bail conditions.

The victim's brother-in-law, Stan Gordon, said: "We are talking about a man who almost died. He was in a coma for three weeks.

"Andrew has the life sentence. He is on the road to recovery, but it is going to be a slow process.

"He (Ross) will be walking the streets of Aberdeen again in 18 months time. I don't think that's fair."

Carol Murray, the victim's wife, earlier said: "There is no excuse for what he did.

"We don't know what the future holds for Andrew and this has just turned all of our worlds upside down. All we can do now is continue to help look after him and hope that he makes a recovery."