An amateur boxer pummelled a man to the ground after he tried to break up a row between him and his girlfriend.
In what may have been an unfortunate misunderstanding, peacekeeper Neil Sorrie intervened when he saw Brogan Townsley arguing with his partner in Perth city centre.
Townsley responded by striking Mr Sorrie in the face, knocking him over and raining down punches as he lay on the pavement.
Eighteen-year-old Townsley, who has competed in local boxing matches at junior level, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting Mr Sorrie to his injury in St John’s Place on March 26.
The court heard Mr Sorrie may have believed the argument was more serious than it was.
Townsley’s lawyer insisted the row was nothing more than a disagreement about whether to go home or stay out and have food.
Sheriff Francis Gill ordered Townsley to pay £300 compensation to his victim.
Bleeding eye injury
Fiscal depute Andrew Harding told the court: “Mr Sorrie was walking through the area when he saw the accused having an argument with another person.
“He approached the accused and attempted to intervene in an effort to calm the situation.”
Mr Harding said: “The accused punched Mr Sorrie in the face, knocking him to the ground.
“While the complainer was on the ground, the accused continued to punch him on the head and face.”
The court heard that Mr Sorrie suffered an injury to an eye, which was bleeding.
Argument was ‘minor’
Solicitor Mike Tavendale, defending, said: “This came about because of a minor argument between Mr Townsley and his girlfriend.
“One of them wanted to go home, while the other wanted something to eat.
“The complainer got involved, perhaps thinking something else was happening.”
Mr Tavendale said: “Mr Townsley saw that his girlfriend was getting annoyed with Mr Sorrie’s interaction.
“He reacted in a manner that he is not terribly proud of.
“He fully accepts that his behaviour was not appropriate.”
The court heard that Townsley had already “grasped the opportunity” and engaged with the Right Track programme for young offenders.
The teenager, of Marshall Crescent, Luncarty, has so far completed 107 hours of unpaid work.
Sheriff Gill told Townsley: “Whatever the situation, your reaction was completely unacceptable.”
Imposing the compensation order, the sheriff said: “I have taken into account your very positive Right Track report.”
