A recent verdict at Perth Sheriff Court has brought to light the severe consequences of a brutal street assault in Blairgowrie, where a local man suffered significant facial injuries. Sean Henvey, a resident of the Perthshire town, was found guilty of perpetrating a one-punch attack that resulted in his victim’s jaw being broken in two places, requiring extensive medical intervention.
The incident, which unfolded on Leslie Street in the early hours of November 19, 2023, saw Henvey facing charges of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement. Throughout the rigorous two-day trial, Henvey maintained his innocence, asserting that his actions were a necessary act of self-defence.
During his testimony, the joiner described a late-night encounter after socialising at the Cartwheel Inn. He recounted approaching a friend who appeared unwell on the street, surrounded by three other individuals. Henvey claimed that one of these men initiated a verbal confrontation with a derogatory remark, questioning if his friend was his ‘boyfriend’ and then escalating with aggressive language, asking: ‘Do you think you’re a hard man?’ Henvey stated he attempted to de-escalate the situation by walking away, but alleged the victim continued to follow him, making a provocative ‘jack in the box’ comment.
Henvey’s version of events depicted him reacting defensively to what he perceived as a ‘lunge’ from behind, swinging his hand backwards over his shoulder with the intention of making contact only with the man’s chest. He insisted that any injury inflicted was unintentional and a consequence of this defensive manoeuvre.
However, the court heard starkly contrasting accounts from two independent witnesses, whose testimonies proved crucial to the prosecution’s case. These witnesses explicitly described seeing Henvey pivot abruptly and deliver a forceful punch directly to the victim’s face. They detailed how the impact caused the victim to immediately fall to the ground, landing on his hands and knees, clearly indicating the severity and direct nature of the blow.
The prosecution highlighted the ‘jack in the box’ comment as a pivotal moment, suggesting it was the direct catalyst that provoked Henvey’s sudden and violent response. The enduring impact on the victim was a central part of the evidence, with the court learning that he underwent complex surgery to realign his fractured jaw. This was followed by a prolonged period of recovery and additional dental work, underscoring the long-term pain and disfigurement caused by the assault.
Further complexity was added by the testimony of Sean Henvey Senior, the accused’s father and a boxing coach, who was also present on Leslie Street. He described the altercation he witnessed as a ‘handbags’ style dispute, likening it to a minor scuffle between men on a football pitch. He testified that he intervened to separate the individuals and stated emphatically that he saw no direct physical contact between his son and the victim, maintaining that his son was ‘backing away’ from the confrontation.
In delivering his verdict, Sheriff William Wood meticulously weighed the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence. He acknowledged the initial volatile exchange and the ‘jack in the box’ remark, recognising its potential to antagonise. However, Sheriff Wood expressed significant reservations regarding the consistency of the defence’s accounts, particularly noting the discrepancies between the testimonies of Henvey Junior and Senior, stating that the father ‘did not see enough of the whole incident’ to provide a comprehensive picture.
Ultimately, Sheriff Wood declared: “I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you did assault the complainer.” He concluded that despite any provocation, Henvey intentionally turned and punched the victim with considerable force, directly causing the severe injuries. The gravity of the victim’s fractured jaw and the subsequent medical procedures were emphasized in the sheriff’s ruling.
The sentencing of Sean Henvey, of Ashgrove Gardens, Blairgowrie, has been deferred to allow for the preparation of comprehensive background reports. This decision will enable the court to consider all relevant factors before determining an appropriate penalty for the serious assault.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for seemingly minor confrontations to escalate into incidents with life-altering consequences for all involved, reinforcing the importance of personal responsibility and the rule of law in maintaining the safety and harmony of local communities across Perth and Kinross.
The incident, which unfolded on Leslie Street in the early hours of November 19, 2023, saw Henvey facing charges of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement. Throughout the rigorous two-day trial, Henvey maintained his innocence, asserting that his actions were a necessary act of self-defence.
During his testimony, the joiner described a late-night encounter after socialising at the Cartwheel Inn. He recounted approaching a friend who appeared unwell on the street, surrounded by three other individuals. Henvey claimed that one of these men initiated a verbal confrontation with a derogatory remark, questioning if his friend was his ‘boyfriend’ and then escalating with aggressive language, asking: ‘Do you think you’re a hard man?’ Henvey stated he attempted to de-escalate the situation by walking away, but alleged the victim continued to follow him, making a provocative ‘jack in the box’ comment.
Henvey’s version of events depicted him reacting defensively to what he perceived as a ‘lunge’ from behind, swinging his hand backwards over his shoulder with the intention of making contact only with the man’s chest. He insisted that any injury inflicted was unintentional and a consequence of this defensive manoeuvre.
However, the court heard starkly contrasting accounts from two independent witnesses, whose testimonies proved crucial to the prosecution’s case. These witnesses explicitly described seeing Henvey pivot abruptly and deliver a forceful punch directly to the victim’s face. They detailed how the impact caused the victim to immediately fall to the ground, landing on his hands and knees, clearly indicating the severity and direct nature of the blow.
The prosecution highlighted the ‘jack in the box’ comment as a pivotal moment, suggesting it was the direct catalyst that provoked Henvey’s sudden and violent response. The enduring impact on the victim was a central part of the evidence, with the court learning that he underwent complex surgery to realign his fractured jaw. This was followed by a prolonged period of recovery and additional dental work, underscoring the long-term pain and disfigurement caused by the assault.
Further complexity was added by the testimony of Sean Henvey Senior, the accused’s father and a boxing coach, who was also present on Leslie Street. He described the altercation he witnessed as a ‘handbags’ style dispute, likening it to a minor scuffle between men on a football pitch. He testified that he intervened to separate the individuals and stated emphatically that he saw no direct physical contact between his son and the victim, maintaining that his son was ‘backing away’ from the confrontation.
In delivering his verdict, Sheriff William Wood meticulously weighed the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence. He acknowledged the initial volatile exchange and the ‘jack in the box’ remark, recognising its potential to antagonise. However, Sheriff Wood expressed significant reservations regarding the consistency of the defence’s accounts, particularly noting the discrepancies between the testimonies of Henvey Junior and Senior, stating that the father ‘did not see enough of the whole incident’ to provide a comprehensive picture.
Ultimately, Sheriff Wood declared: “I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you did assault the complainer.” He concluded that despite any provocation, Henvey intentionally turned and punched the victim with considerable force, directly causing the severe injuries. The gravity of the victim’s fractured jaw and the subsequent medical procedures were emphasized in the sheriff’s ruling.
The sentencing of Sean Henvey, of Ashgrove Gardens, Blairgowrie, has been deferred to allow for the preparation of comprehensive background reports. This decision will enable the court to consider all relevant factors before determining an appropriate penalty for the serious assault.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for seemingly minor confrontations to escalate into incidents with life-altering consequences for all involved, reinforcing the importance of personal responsibility and the rule of law in maintaining the safety and harmony of local communities across Perth and Kinross.