Marine attacked two men outside Broughty Ferry bar

A Royal Marine “decided attack was the best form of defence” and launched a violent assault that hospitalised a man, a court heard.

Ryan Wordsworth, who is stationed at RM Condor in Arbroath with 45 Commando, was ordered to pay two men a total of £500 in compensation over the attacks outside a pub in Broughty Ferry in April.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard Wordsworth was thrown out of the Anchor bar in Gray Street after an altercation.

When the marine got out into the street he saw a group of men standing there — and then he launched his attack.

One of his victims, Darren Mackie, suffered a dislocated thumb as a result of the incident.

Fiscal depute Trina Sinclair told the court: “At 12.50am, the accused was involved in a disturbance in the Anchor bar and was ejected with other males.

“A short time later the complainers were outside and the accused lunged towards Mr Mackie first, repeatedly punching him to the head, causing a cut to his lip.

“Mr Mackie pushed the accused away and hurt his left hand.

“The accused was pulled away and a short time later he went to approach Mr Mackie again.

“Mr Grant Kilhooley stood in the way and the accused punched him to the face, causing him to fall to the ground.

“Mr Mackie later attended hospital and had suffered a dislocated thumb, a swollen eye and a cut lip.”

Wordsworth, 27, of RM Condor, Arbroath, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault to injury.

The offences were committed at Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, on April 26.

Iain Flynn, defending, said: “He attends today with a commanding officer and will face a career check with his unit — he will face them when he gets back.

“He was involved in an exchange of words and left the pub.

“He got outside and saw five men and thought something was going on.

“He decided attack would be the best form of defence and assaulted them.”

Sheriff Walter Mercer ordered Wordsworth to pay £200 in compensation to Mr Kilhooley and £300 to Darren Mackie.