A FORMER Territorial Army soldier who served in Afghanistan has been convicted of assaulting a “complete stranger” in a Galashiels public house to the danger of life following a three day jury trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Thirty-year-old Brian Cassie, of Beech Avenue, Galashiels, will be sentenced next month after the case was deferred for background reports.

The trial heard that victim Colin Porteous suffered facial fractures which required major surgery and still suffers numbness to his nose, cheek and head 18 months after the unprovoked attack in the Bridge Inn, Galashiels, in August 2013.

Cassie had lodged a special defence of a mental disorder which meant he did not appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct.

But the jury found him guilty of assaulting Colin Porteous to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement by repeatedly punching him on the head, dragging him to the ground and repeatedly kicking, stamping and jumping on his head as he lay there rendering him unconcious.

The trial heard how, after a glass was knocked over around about 12.30am in the pub and Cassie, who had previously been staring into space and had never spoken to his victim, suddenly shouted “bomb”.

It was claimed that he reacted the same way as if a bomb had gone off in Afghanistan.

The court heard from medical experts who confirmed Cassie did suffer from a mental disorder.

But fiscal Claire Bottomley pointed to the evidence of witnesses who described how Cassie was seen running from the pub after the assault and pointed out he had a number of alcoholic drinks on the night.

She also pointed out his substance misuse and that he had been kicked out of the Territorial Army due to a failed drugs test.