Teenager left man with life-changing brain injury in Glasgow city centre one-punch attack

A teenager left a man with a life-changing brain injury in a one-punch hit-and-run.

The now 17-year-old struck the man in Glasgow city centre on September 15, 2024.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the victim was initially chatting to a woman before he was slapped on the head by another female.

The other woman was with the teenager who told the man to leave.

He initially walked away but returned to the area a short time later.

The teenager and the victim then went on to speak to each other before the teenager punched him in the side of his head, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, where he remained unconscious and motionless.

The suspect then left the area.

The hearing was told that witnesses came across the victim, who was noted to be “lying on the ground on his back motionless.”

When medics arrived, they attempted to rouse him, but he did not respond.

One of his pupils was noted to be larger than the other, which suggested that he suffered a brain injury.

At hospital, it was established that he had suffered a bleed to the brain and there was a “possible threat to life.”

The man also sustained an injury to the space between his brain and skull, fractures to his skull, nasal bone and cheekbone.

It was further discovered that his brain had also moved minorly to the left.

Mr Harty added: “The doctor noted that this is a life-changing brain injury for him based on the assessments whilst at the hospital in relation to his cognitive functions.

“It is unlikely that Ian will return to his previous baseline of cognitive function. [The victim] is still undergoing rehabilitation.”

The teenager was arrested at his home on September 16, 2024.

He told an officer: “I’m really sorry. The guy was pushing my mate, and I was getting angry and I punched him. This has been playing on my mind since it happened.”

The teenager, who is a first offender, pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent impairment and danger to life.

The sentence was deferred pending background reports until the end of the month by Sheriff Louise Arrol, KC.

The sheriff said: “Let me be clear, you have pleaded guilty when a man has suffered serious, life-changing injuries.

“I have seen less injuries in someone who has been dead.

“This is the most serious level of harm.

“This matter is extremely serious from your perspective.

“I will continue bail but read nothing into it – this matter on the face of it exceeds the custodial threshold.”