Men jailed for attacking chocolatier in carjacking
Calum Ross, 19, and Matthew Bell, 24, were sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court
- Published
Two men who attacked a chocolatier in a carjacking have both been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.
Calum Ross, 19, and Matthew Bell, 24, assaulted Highland businessman Lucas Story, 71, while he was on his way to work in Inverness on the morning of 19 December 2023.
Mr Story, who was repeatedly punched, required days of treatment in intensive care and has not been able to return to his job, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.
A sheriff told Ross and Bell: "This was a disgusting and brutal attack and I can mark the public's disapproval by keeping you off the streets."
Ross and Bell flagged down Mr Story's van on Inverness' Merlewood Road and asked him for a lift.
He refused and a beer can was thrown at his vehicle.
Mr Story was then attacked after he stopped to look for damage.
Ross and Bell flagged down Mr Story's van on Inverness' Merlewood Road and asked him for a lift.
He refused and a beer can was thrown at his vehicle.
Mr Story was then attacked after he stopped to look for damage.
The keys were taken from him and Mr Story tried to stop the van from being driven away by getting on to the bonnet.
He was thrown to the ground when Bell braked suddenly.
People who witnessed the incident alerted police and Ross and Bell were later arrested at Ness Islands on Inverness' Riverside.
Ross, described as a detainee at Polmont Young Offender's Institution, and Bell, of Inverness, admitted assault to severe injury, danger of life, permanent disfigurement, impairment and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Sentencing the men, Sheriff Sara Matheson said their actions had appalled the local community.
She said: "It had grave consequences for your victim who had to spend time in the intensive care unit, trauma unit and in surgery and he is unable to work.
"It is the measure of your victim that in his impact statement his emphasis is not on himself but others, particularly his wife as he can no longer work."