Man headbutted former colleague in computer row

Jun 11 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A MAN headbutted a former colleague in a row about a broken computer.

Dale Finlayson had worked with his victim at Plumbline Supplies, based at Whiteside Industrial Estate in Bathgate.

Finlayson had given his former workmate a broken computer, which he had been told the man’s father would fix.

Animosity grew between the pair after the computer had not been returned after some time.

On February 11 this year Finlayson went to his former workplace to confront the man.

The 28-year-old approached him and asked him about the computer.

Words were exchanged and it was at this stage Finlayson headbutted his victim, who needed four stitches to a 2.5cm cut on the brow of his nose.

Last week at Linlithgow Sheriff Court, Finlayson, whose address was given as Ramsay Crescent, Bathgate, pled guilty to the offence.

His solicitor, Gordon Henderson, said his client, who had a previous conviction for assault, had made a wrong decision by taking the law into his own hands.

Mr Henderson said: “His record will not be the worst your lordship has seen.

“Probation would be a good option for him where anger management issues could be looked at.”

Placing Finlayson on probation for a year and ordering him to carry out 120 hours of community service, Sheriff Thomas Ward said: “You have got a conviction for assault, albeit in the district court, and this is your second.

“If you get a third then I don’t think there will be any option but to give you a custodial sentence.”