A man whose mouth was "shattered" by a blow from a stranger in an unprovoked attack at Belladrum Music Festival has undergone major surgery to reconstruct his jaw back into place.
Adis Delic, from Elgin, was trying to get home from the venue near Inverness on Friday, July 29, and was on the phone to a friend when he was flattened by a punch to the mouth out of nowhere, which forced him to the ground.
The 40-year-old's jaw was left broken on both sides from the brutal attack with one tooth stuck to the side of his mouth, leaving him unable to swallow. Adis is unable to eat solid food and he's been told by his surgeon that it's possible he may not get any feeling back in his lower lip for a year as the nerves have been so badly damaged.
The off-shore worker has been signed off work for at least a month while he recovers from his injuries. He told the Record: "I have never been in so much pain in my life. I think because my mouth was open it took the full brunt. It's just absolutely disgusting that someone would do this.
"I've never been to a festival before as it's not really my scene, but I recently lost my father so I've been stepping out to try new things.
"I had spent the afternoon with a friend just going around the place and meeting up with the other people we knew, but it just got to the point when I was ready to go home.
"My friend wanted to stay so I went off and approached two security guards asking for directions out of the place as it's such a huge place. They directed me towards a place but when I got there police advised me to get picked up rather than walk as it wasn't the safest for pedestrians.
"I had no idea where I was going as I hadn't been there before but I ended up in what I now know is the 'red zone' and I made a phone call to a friend at about 10.30pm.
"Next thing I knew someone had seemed to take a run up and hit me, taking me down. I was conscious so I sat myself up straight away to try and see who it was but but there didn't seem to be anyone there.
"A few seconds later about a half a dozen young lads came to me and went to get help. A medical team came along and I spent a couple of hours with First Aid before I was taken to Raigmore Hospital at midnight. The next day I was transferred to Aberdeen Infirmary and spent two-and-a-half hours in surgery. I now have screws and three plates to try and reconstruct my jaw back in place."
Adis has pleaded for witnesses to come forward to stop the thug responsible striking an innocent person again.
"I just didn't see anything, but someone somewhere must have a description of the person that carried out the assault," he continued.
"It has knocked me because it was just so unexpected.
"If I had been hit in the temple then I don't know what would have happened. That's why this person needs to be caught as they will do it again if they get away with it.
"I have asked myself many a time, 'out of 25,000 people why me?', but it could have been anyone, unfortunately it was a bad experience."
Belladrum took place from Thursday to Saturday last week and attracted a stellar line-up of acts, including; Sam Ryder, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Van Morrison.
Police are appealing for witnesses who attended the busy event at the time. They say the victim was waiting at a burger van within the red camp area when he was hit.
Detective Constable Ross Cooper, of Inverness CID, said: “This appears to have been an unprovoked attack and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“The festival site was busy at the time and we are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or who has information that could help with our investigation.
“If you can assist then please contact us on 101, quoting reference CR/0034689/22, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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