An Arbroath man knocked another drinker unconscious after an argument in a pub.
Alan Rushton, 37, of Andrew Welsh Way, admitted that on October 24 at the Pageant bar on Kirk Square, Arbroath, he assaulted Darren Brown by punching him on the head, causing him to fall to the ground and strike his head, rendering him unconscious.
Depute fiscal Carol Whyte told the court: “The complainer, who is aged 37, was on a night out. At about 9pm he had attended at the locus as his daughter was singing there that evening. She described him as being heavily under the influence of alcohol.
“A short time later the accused and friends entered the bar. From viewing the CCTV you could see there is a conversation between the accused and Mr Brown.
“The accused then punched Mr Brown on his face. He fell back on to the floor, struck his head and was knocked unconscious.
“He was taken to Ninewells Hospital by ambulance. There he required stitches to a wound on the back of his head and he also had a swollen lip with small cuts inside.”
Defence agent Bob Bruce said his client had approached Mr Brown who made a “head-butting motion” towards one of Rushton’s friends.
He said: “Rushton’s friend made a compliment regarding Brown’s daughter’s singing but the perception seems to be the reverse, causing a verbal confrontation. The accused was acting as a peacemaker and found attention became focused on him.”
He continued: “My client accepts that, with a fair degree of provocation, he struck him. It was not self defence, it was preventative.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio fined Rushton £500, a discount from £600 to take account of his plea.