INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT: Two military personnel who carried out "unprovoked" homophobic attack in Highland capital on night out facing possible spell behind bars
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Two military personnel are facing a potential spell behind bars after an "unprovoked" homophobic attack on another man in Inverness city centre.
Ian Mulroy (19) and co-accused Thomas Howells (19) appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court today.
Mulroy admitted an assault to injury towards the stranger, while Howells admitted threatening and abusive behaviour.
The court heard the incident took place in the early hours of December 23 last year on the High Street.
Fiscal depute Karen Poke said the victim had been on a night out with a friend and had gone to Max's takeaway in the city centre for food when they encountered Mulroy and Howells on the High Street while looking for a taxi.
After being called homophobic remarks by Howells, Mulroy then punched the man repeatedly to the head, forcing him onto the ground before repeatedly kicking him on the body.
Ms Poke said: "They came up suddenly and unprovoked.
"Mr Howells forcibly pushed the witness's chips into his face calling him a f****t and p**f.
"It was at this point the accused Mulroy gone on to assault the witness.
"It was a completely unprovoked attack.
"The incident in its entirety was captured on CCTV."
The court heard the police were called and traced Mulroy, of the city's Carnac Crescent, and Howells, of Ord Terrace.
Ms Poke said the victim suffered pain to his ribs with a suspected fracture and a burst nose and lip.
The court heard Mulroy is stationed at Wellington Barracks, London, and Howells is at Catterick Barracks in Yorkshire.
Sheriff Gary Aitken warned the pair that they could be put behind bars for their actions, with both charges being aggravated by prejudice over sexual orientation.
The sheriff said: "This behaviour is utterly unacceptable.
"You should both be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves."
Sheriff Aitken deferred sentence for the preparation of background reports.
He added: "That might give me some other options other than the custodial sentence which is uppermost in my mind."
The two men, who were with a superior officer, were released on bail meantime.
