Latvian Putin hater fractured Russian speaker's skull from two punches in violent street attack
A man with a dislike for Vladimir Putin fractured the skull of a Russian speaker after punching him twice in the head in a violent street attack, a court has heard.Defendant Uldis Tamsons (50), who has pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, had made Facebook rants urging people to speak ill of Russian president Putin prior to the attack on his victim Igor Morev in July 2022.Monaghan Circuit Court heard how the victim, who is originally from Estonia, told gardai he believed he was attacked by Mr Tamsons, who is from Latvia, because he spoke Russian.Read moreArmy chaplain stabbed seven times with hunting knife awarded distinguished service medalThe court heard that on the night of July 21, 2022, Igor Morev attended Carrickmacross Garda Station to advise officers there that he had been assaulted on the Main Street in the town.He told officers that he had been punched twice in the head and identified his attacker as Uldis Tamsons.“I’m from Estonia, he’s from Latvia. I speak Russian and he doesn’t like what is happening in Ukraine,” the victim told gardai.Crime Wrap Thursday February 12 Garda McCann from Carrickmacross Garda Station told the court that Uldis Tamsons was subsequently arrested and question about the incident.He said the defendant told gardai that there had been an altercation between the two men and that this ‘fight’ lasted for about a minute.However the garda said that CCTV footage obtained of the incident supported the victim’s version of events.“The injured party’s actions were to try and get away,” Garda McCann said.The court heard that Mr Morev didn’t wish to come to court as he didn’t feel safe being in the same place as the defendant.Instead a Victim Impact Statement was read out on his behalf, stating he still had a lot of suffering since the attack.“I don’t feel safe anymore. I feel vulnerable and have panic attacks,” the victim said.“I am afraid to leave my home or even to go to the grocery shop.“This will impact my life for years to come.”The court heard how the victim now suffered from sensory loss and damage to his vision since the attack.Read moreStudent caught with crowbar, balaclava and crack cocaine ‘has turned life around’Defence barrister Sara Brennan, instructed by solicitor Richard Wilkie, told the court that the defendant “unsurprisingly” didn’t have much memory of the incident as he had been drinking all that day.Ms Brennan said the Mr Tamsons had brought €500 to court as a “tangible token” of his remorse and was willing to gather more money as compensation.The court heard the defendant was working in a furniture factory and was supplementing that with a weekend job so he could raise more money.“€500 is very short of the mark,” Judge John Aylmer said.The judge said he would place the offence at the mid-range, which would warrant a sentence of three-and-a-half years in prison.However he said he would take regard of the fact that the defendant was considered a low risk of reoffending, and would consider the possibility of a suspended sentence if the defendant produces more compensation.He adjourned sentencing until the next sittings of Monaghan Circuit Court in April on that basis.
