A soldier snared for a brutal assault after his regimental T-shirt was spotted on CCTV has been ordered to pay compensation to his victim.
Joel Cooney left a fellow squaddie with a fractured jaw and eye socket after punching him in the face on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The 19-year-old, who had been in the city to perform at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, landed a single blow moments after shaking hands with the victim in an apparent truce.
Cooney was caught on security camera and cops traced him to Redford Barracks as he was wearing a 3 Scots top. He appeared at the city's sheriff court on Friday for sentencing which had been deferred for reports, according to the Daily Record.
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Sheriff Wendy Sheehan said Cooney joining the Army at 17 was “probably the best” decision of his life and said he had the “makings of a good soldier”. The sheriff said she was willing to impose a punishment which would not “imperil” his career and lead to him being discharged as a soldier.
She agreed to levy a compensation order if Cooney agreed to counselling within the Army to deal with issues such as anger management. Cooney agreed and was told to pay £650 compensation to victim Samuel Richardson.
At a hearing last month, fiscal depute Ross Price said Cooney’s “sartorial choice” to wear a T-shirt from the The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland led to his capture. Cooney, of Heathall, Dumfries and Galloway, pled guilty to assaulting Samuel to his severe injury.
Mr Price said a CCTV operator had spotted two groups outside the Radisson Blu Hotel at around 5.15am whose behaviour gave them concern. Police were called to the scene and Samuel, who was hurt, was taken to Edinburgh and found to have two fractures.
Mr Price said cops checked the CCTV. He added: “Mr Cooney was seen approaching Mr Richardson and they shake hands. After that, there is a single punch to Mr Richardson’s face.
“At the time, Mr Cooney was wearing a regimental T-shirt for 3 Scots. Mr Cooney’s sartorial choice has led the investigation to Redford Barracks in Edinburgh where police spoke to staff.
“Mr Cooney was at the barracks as he was taking part in ceremonies at the Military Tattoo.”
The prosecutor said Cooney was arrested on August 22 last year, five days after the incident on the Royal Mile.
The court was told Cooney is currently based at Fort George, near Inverness, the home of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland since 2007.
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