Jail for nightclub glass attacker

Pearson attacked his victim because he had bumped into his friend

A man who smashed a glass tumbler into the face of a student at a nightclub in Dundee has been jailed for six years.

Ryan Ringsell was almost blinded in one eye after Nick Pearson attacked him at Fat Sam's for bumping into his friend.

Mr Ringsell was studying architecture but had to give up his course because of the injury and now works in a bank.

A background report on Pearson, 24, had suggested he be given probation, but judge Lord Uist said that was "ridiculous" and "utterly unrealistic".

Pearson, from Hazelhead Place, Dundee, had denied the offence but was earlier convicted of assaulting Mr Ringsell to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment at the club in South Ward Road on 6 September 2007.

The assault which you committed was a nasty and cowardly one Lord Uist

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Uist said there was "overwhelming" evidence against Pearson with three eyewitnesses and with the assault captured on a video recording.

The judge told him: "As a result of what you did the victim lost not only all practical sight in his right eye, but also his intended career as an architect.

"He will have to live for the rest of his life with the consequences of what you did."

A social inquiry report on Pearson said he had expressed "deep remorse and regrets" over his actions and the injury inflicted.

Lord Uist replied: "If you did so it was the first time. You showed no remorse or regret either before or during the trial at which you blamed a former co-accused.

"The assault which you committed was a nasty and cowardly one.

"You showed your cowardice by running away immediately afterwards."

The court heard claims that Pearson had been left "traumatised" by the injury he had inflicted and could not believe he had done such a thing.

Pearson had a previous conviction for assault involving permanent disfigurement of a victim for which he was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay £500 compensation.