Northern Irish Man Jailed for Brutal Assault in Shetland

A man from Northern Ireland has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for a brutal assault that took place shortly after his arrival in Shetland. Patrick McElhatton, 27, from Cookstown, admitted to his role in the violent attack on September 10, 2023, in the car park of Frankie’s fish and chip shop in Brae. The court described the assault as “sustained, vicious and brutal,” emphasizing that it was only through “extremely good fortune” that the victim did not suffer fatal injuries.

The case presented to Lerwick Sheriff Court included compelling evidence from CCTV footage, which depicted McElhatton and another individual repeatedly punching and kicking the victim. The footage showed disturbing actions, including McElhatton kneeing the motionless victim in the head, while his accomplice struck the victim’s face with a traffic cone.

Details of the Assault

During the proceedings, it was revealed that the victim was unknown to McElhatton. Despite the unusual circumstances, the evidence clearly illustrated the extent of the violence. After watching the lengthy CCTV recordings, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank remarked on the brutal nature of the assault, noting the “sustained” duration of the attack. McElhatton was visibly emotional during the hearing, with his defense lawyer, Tommy Allan, stating that his client was deeply remorseful and had refused to view the footage of the incident.

According to Procurator Fiscal Duncan Mackenzie, local ambulance services had received a call from Northern Ireland regarding an injured individual in Brae. When emergency services arrived at the worker’s accommodation, they found a group of men drinking, but McElhatton was not present. He was later discovered injured and required hospitalization for his own wounds, including a fractured eye socket. There are suggestions that some of McElhatton’s colleagues may have assaulted him after learning of his actions.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

The court heard that McElhatton had consumed alcohol without eating prior to the attack, which contributed to his impaired state during the incident. Allan mentioned that McElhatton claimed to have no recollection of the assault, but he expressed regret upon realizing his involvement. The defense also highlighted that the victim appeared to recover at the end of the footage, attributing this to “good luck, not good management.”

Sheriff Cruickshank, in his remarks, indicated that he had witnessed numerous CCTV videos in his career but described this particular case as exceptionally alarming due to the prolonged nature of the assault. He stated that there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence, reinforcing the gravity of McElhatton’s actions. The judge concluded by emphasizing the fortunate circumstances surrounding the victim’s survival, stating, “It is extremely good fortune that this did not end up with a fatal killing.”

McElhatton’s sentence of 22 months reflects the court’s commitment to addressing violent behaviour and ensuring justice for victims of such crimes.