A STOW teenager who carried out a bottle attack in a Galashiels nightclub was told he was lucky not to be facing a murder charge.

David John Tait, 18, of Galashiels Road, pleaded guilty to striking Steven Ormiston on the head with a glass bottle to his injury in the Indigo Rooms on December 29.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, defence lawyer Claire Bottomley said: “It happened at 2.40am and the accused had been involved in a dispute with an unknown male.

“Various persons tried to resolve the situation but the accused struck the complainer on the head with a bottle causing it to smash. Witnesses on the dance floor observed this and the pair were separated. Police officers arrived soon after.” The victim suffered bruising to his left temple and scratching to his face as a result of the attack.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client had been holding his group’s bottle of vodka that they were sharing when one of his friends got involved in an altercation with a member of the complainer’s group.

He added that Mr Ormiston came over and bundled into him and Tait thought he had done it deliberately and punched him but had the bottle in his hand.

Mr Patrick said: “It was not his intention to use the bottle as a weapon. He does not deny it hit him on the head and the bottle smashed.” At this stage the sheriff intervened and said Tait was very lucky as he could easily have been facing a murder charge.

Mr Patrick acknowledged this and said his client works in the energy industry as an apprentice project control engineer.

He added: “I can say he is a highly responsible mature young man who has never been in trouble in his life.” But the sheriff told him: “You are very lucky Mr Tait. Hitting someone on the head with a bottle could have been disastrous for him and for you.

“This is not a matter suitable for a financial penalty but given the circumstances I am prepared to impose unpaid work as an alternative to custody. This was a bad offence.” Tait was ordered to carry out 60 hours unpaid work ion the community.