Punches thrown in pub

An east Perthshire man lashed out at the landlord of a Blairgowrie pub after he claimed“uncomplimentary remarks” were made about his dead brother.

Gavin Ewart (29), who was barred from the Fair o’Blair in Allan Street, threw two or three punches at Ranald Duncan’s head.

But the first missed its target and the other two were blocked, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

The proprietor then used a“justifiable level of force”to escort the accused from the premises.

Ewart, of West Jordanstone Farm Cottages, Alyth, will have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within the next six months.

He will also be supervised for a year and undergo alcohol treatment during that time.

Sheriff William Wood told him:“Your previous convictions indicate you have a difficulty with alcohol and would benefit from intervention.

“Unless you moderate your intake, this is going to happen again and you could end up in jail.”

The accused admitted assaulting Mr Duncan in the pub on January 27 this year and then shouting and swearing and refusing to stop.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said the accused, previously barred from the pub, was asked to leave as he was intoxicated.

He did, but later returned and said he was“trying to stop people taking drugs,” as well as“similar random phrases.”

Mr Duncan tried to guide him out but Ewart became“agitated”and started throwing punches.

Solicitor David Holmes said his client’s brother had died in a road traffic incident.

“The barman had made reference to his deceased brother and he thought it was uncomplimentary.”

Imposing the community payback order, Sheriff Wood told Ewart:“Bar staff are entitled to go about their business without people trying to punch them on the head”