Jail term for bar stool assault

Sentencing took place at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

An Edinburgh pub-goer who attacked a drinker with a bar stool has been given an eight year extended sentence.

Malcolm Robertson, 29, told his victim he had just split up with his girlfriend and "felt like leathering someone" before hitting him.

John Waugh, 38, needed six staples to his head wounds after the attack in Elm Bar in Elm Row on 5 August 2007.

Robertson admitted the assault at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month and was sentenced to four years in jail.

He will spend a further four years on licence.

Public safety

"This was an assault on a man who, until a few minutes conversation shortly before, had been a stranger to you," said Sheriff Kenneth Maciver.

"What happened was extreme violence and there is no excuse for that.

"I have to consider the issue of public safety," the sheriff added, advising Robertson to get help for his alcohol problem while in prison.

Robertson, who has nine previous convictions for assault and has served a six year sentence, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Waugh to his injury and permanent disfigurement.

The pair were strangers who had chatted while smoking outside the Elm Bar.

A short time later, Robertson approached Mr Waugh and said he had just split up with his girlfriend and "felt like leathering someone".

Robertson later said he had been unhappy about Mr Waugh's response that "there were plenty more fish in the sea".

Mr Waugh was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with cuts to his head measuring three inches and a one-and-half inches and was found to also have other bruising and swelling.