A well known Inverness businessman was car-jacked on his way to work as a chocolatier in the city and spent 10 days in intensive care after a brutal attack by two young men over a year ago.
Lucas Story’s van was flagged down by Callum Ross (19) and Matthew Bell (24) on Merlewood Road, Inverness on the morning of December 19, 2023 who said they wanted a lift.
But when Mr Story refused and drove off, a can of beer was thrown at his vehicle which he stopped to check the damage.
However Inverness Sheriff Court heard that this prompted Ross, a detainee at Polmont Young Offender’s Institution and Bell of Benula Road, Inverness to launch a sustained assault by repeatedly punching the 71 year old on the head after they said: “we are going to take the van.”
Fiscal depute Pauline Gair told Sheriff Sara Matheson: “He reached for his mobile phone to call the police but it was taken from him.
“Mr Story attempted to get back into his van to make good his escape but the van keys were taken from him.
“He then felt himself being repeatedly struck to the back of his legs, causing him to fall to the ground. He attempted to get back up using a fence to hold on to, however was unable to get to his van.”
Bell then got into the van and started the engine but the courageous Mr Story managed to get back up and got on to the bonnet of his vehicle in an attempt to prevent Bell from stealing it.
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Mrs Gair went on: “Bell drove the van a short distance before applying the brakes causing Mr Story to slide off. He was hurt and lying on the ground and observed Ross leave the van and run away before Bell tried to reverse the van back up the road. But he was unable to get it into gear and ran away.”
The prosecutor added that a witness saw the assault taking place and phoned the police and a search of the area was ordered while Mr Story was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries.
He was in hospital for a total of 46 days and had several surgeries with more likely to be required, Sheriff Matheson was told. He can no longer work.
About 9.35am, Bell was found hiding under a bush in the Ness Islands, where he got rid of the jacket he was wearing. It was recovered later.
Ross tried to flee the police by crossing the ice cold river and had to be rescued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from an earth mound in the Ness.
Lucas Story before the assault. Picture: James Mackenzie..
Police saw him discard a phone, a bank card and a white powder into the river and he was heard making various threats to the officers.
Mrs Gair said he had to be taken to Raigmore Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia.
Bell was represented by David Patterson and Ross by Marc Dickson who both asked for background reports on their clients.
Ross was remanded and Bell allowed bail to continue until February 18 when both men, who admitted assault to severe injury, danger of life, permanent disfigurement, impairment and attempting to pervert the course of justice, will be sentenced.