A visitor from England to Dunfermline assaulted a man outside a town centre pub, repeatedly punching and knocking him to the ground.
Dunfermline Sheriff Court was told Jay Conway thought a “derogatory comment” had been made about his race.
Conway, 23, of Devonshire Street, Salford, admitted that on September 27, at Coady’s bar, Pilmuir Street, he assaulted a man by repeatedly punching him on the head, knocking him to the ground, all to his injury.
Depute fiscal Louise Ward said the complainer had gone to the bar for a drink at around 9pm and Conway was there at the time.
Around 10.15pm, Conway left the bar and stood outside where he was joined by the complainer and they had a brief conversation.
“The complainer then became aware of being punched on the head,” said Ms Ward.
“There were several punches, which caused him to fall to the ground. Others saw this happen and went to assist.”
The victim sustained a bruised eye and grazing to his nose and head, was treated by ambulance staff but declined to go to hospital.
Defence solicitor Sarah Meehan said her client had gone out for a drink with his father. He had seen his dad and the complainer talking and believed their discussion was becoming heated. Conway then thought the complainer had made a “derogatory comment about his race”.
“In his inebriated state he thought his actions were in self-defence but in the cold light of day and having seen the CCTV he accepts it was not,” she added.
Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a restriction of liberty order for three months.