A Fife man has been ordered to pay £2,500 in compensation for an assault which broke his victim’s jaw.
The incident took place outside a pub in Leslie, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard.
Kieran Thomson, 28, of George Street, Markinch, admitted that on June 28 2014, at the Prinlaws, Prinlaws Street, he assaulted the victim by punching him on the face to his severe injury.
Defence solicitor Steven Gleeson said his client accepted he was not acting in self-defence.
Sheriff Charles MacNair said: “There was no provocation whatsoever in the Crown narrative. They were having a discussion.”
Mr Gleeson said his client’s position was that he had been insulted by the complainer.
Sheriff MacNair asked: “In what circumstances is something having been said justification for breaking someone’s jaw?”
Mr Gleeson continued: “It was a nasty injury which required surgical intervention.”
Sheriff MacNair told Thomson: “This was an unprovoked attack and it was in the vicinity of a public house, whilst you were under the influence of alcohol.
“The injury was serious, involving a fractured jaw. You have previous convictions, including possession of an offensive weapon.”
He imposed a community payback order, 290 hours of unpaid work and compensation of £2,500.