A 24-year-old man who attempted to murder a homeless man in an unprovoked attack in Inverness has been jailed for more than nine years at the High Court in Edinburgh. Campbell Brett struck Gordon Skillen, 45, with a baseball bat as he slept with a group of other men outside a Tesco store in Tomnahurich Street in July.
Sentencing Brett, Lord Ghosh said the 24-year-old had been "utterly reckless" and that there was no provocation for the attack. The judge also said there was no evidence Brett sought any help for his victim.
Brett was jailed for nine years and four months. Lord Ghosh said he would have faced a 14-year jail term had he not pleaded guilty. The judge ordered that Brett be under supervision for a further three years while on licence, and can be returned to prison if he breaches it.
Brett had earlier admitted assaulting Skillen to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment and to the danger of his life, and attempting to murder him.
The court heard that Brett had been drinking heavily before launching the attack in the early hours of 13 July. He walked off before returning to ask if Skillen was "dead yet?". Police were alerted and he walked up to officers and said: "It was me. I done it." He was interviewed and indicated that he had been annoyed by an earlier comment he had heard Skillen make about him.
Skillen sustained multiple fractures to the skull and face and a brain bleed. He underwent extensive surgery and was placed in an induced coma. The court heard he is now only able to speak in short sentences and has no feeling down the left side of his body.
Defence counsel Lisa Gillespie KC said Brett had since spoken of his regret and remorse for his actions, and recognised that he had caused serious harm to the victim. She said Brett suffered adverse childhood experiences and childhood trauma. Gillespie said he was now in a steady relationship and was engaged to be married.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- A man has been sentenced to more than nine years for an attack on a homeless man who was asleep in a public street, a case that centred on the vulnerability of the victim.
- The judge's remarks that there was no provocation and no evidence Brett sought help for his victim were central to the sentencing.
- Brett will remain under supervision on licence for three years after release, and can be returned to prison if he breaches it.
Background
Scotland's High Court handles the most serious criminal cases, including murder and attempted murder, and can impose prison terms alongside a period of supervision on licence after release. This case was heard at the High Court in Edinburgh, though the attack took place in Inverness.
Key Perspectives
- Lord Ghosh: said Brett had been "utterly reckless", that there was no provocation for the attack, and that there was no evidence he sought any help for his victim. He said Brett would have faced 14 years had he not pleaded guilty.
- Lisa Gillespie KC, defence counsel: said Brett had spoken of his regret and remorse and recognised he had caused serious harm, and cited adverse childhood experiences and childhood trauma along with his current relationship and engagement.
What to Watch
- Brett's three-year supervision period on licence after release, during which a breach can return him to prison.
- The effect of the guilty plea on the sentence: the judge set a 14-year term as the starting point before the reduction.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedLord Ghosh described Brett as “utterly reckless”.BBC Scotland: “the judge said the 24-year-old had been "utterly reckless"”
- SupportedBrett returned and asked if Skillen was “dead yet?”.BBC Scotland: “Brett walked off before returning to ask if Skillin was "dead yet?"”
- SupportedBrett told police, “It was me. I done it.”BBC Scotland: “he walked up to officers and said: "It was me. I done it."”
- SupportedBrett was jailed for more than nine years.BBC Scotland: “A man who attempted to murder a homeless man in an unprovoked attack has been jailed for more than nine years.”
- SupportedBrett struck sleeping homeless man Gordon Skillen with a baseball bat outside a Tesco store in Inverness.BBC Scotland: “Campbell Brett struck Gordon Skillen with a baseball bat as he slept with a group of other men outside a Tesco store in Tomnahurich Street, Inverness, in July.”
- SupportedThe judge said the attack was unprovoked.BBC Scotland: “the judge said the 24-year-old had been "utterly reckless" and there was no provocation for the attack.”
- SupportedLord Ghosh said there was no evidence Brett sought help for Skillen.BBC Scotland: “Lord Ghosh also said there was no evidence Brett sought any help for his victim.”
- SupportedBrett was 24 years old.BBC Scotland: “the judge said the 24-year-old had been "utterly reckless"”
- SupportedBrett was jailed for nine years and four months.BBC Scotland: “He was jailed for nine years and four months.”
- SupportedThe judge said Brett would have faced a 14-year jail term if he had not pleaded guilty.BBC Scotland: “The judge said Brett would have faced a 14-year jail term if he had not pleaded guilty to the crime.”
- SupportedBrett was ordered to be supervised for a further three years while on licence, and could be returned to prison if he breached the licence.BBC Scotland: “The judge ordered that Brett should be under supervision for a further three year period when he will be on licence and can be returned to prison if he breaches it.”
- SupportedThe attack happened in the early hours of 13 July.BBC Scotland: “The court heard he had been drinking heavily before launching the attack in the early hours of 13 July.”