Man jailed for attack on friend

The court heard Mr Fyvie died in bed 12 days after the attack

A man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for savagely beating a friend who had revealed he was homosexual.

Salvation Army worker Gordon Fyvie died in his Perth flat 12 days after being attacked by Neal Todd.

Perth Sheriff Court was told the 46-year-old, from Glasgow, lashed out after Mr Fyvie made the revelation at a party in April.

The court heard the victim's body was left on the floor while his friends carried on drinking.

The 55-year-old was barely conscious and covered in bruises.

He was eventually taken to hospital by colleagues after he did not show up for work.

Badly injured

Doctors at Perth Royal Infirmary failed to spot he had brain damage and sent him home, where he died a week later.

Tayside Police originally launched a murder inquiry into his death.

In court, Todd admitted assaulting and injuring Mr Fyvie by repeatedly punching and kicking him on the face and body.

His solicitor said Todd was "extremely remorseful" and had no idea his victim had been so badly injured.

He told the court that Todd had become addicted to White Lightning cider and drinking it had made him "irrational".

He had suffered alcohol-related "visions and voices" in the past.

Sheriff Colin McClory said a significant level of violence had been used in the attack.