No prison term for dad after bat attack

A Calderwood dad found guilty of assaulting a young man with a baseball bat to the danger of his life has avoided jail.

Hugh Maguire denied attacking his victim with the weapon last June but was found guilty by a majority following a week-long trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

The 50-year-old had chased his victim and hit him on the head with the bat to his severe injury and danger to life outside the Bonnie Prince Charlie pub on June 28.

Maguire, of Raeburn Avenue, was unanimously found guilty of a further charge of possession of the baseball bat.

On Monday, defence solicitor Marco Guarino told the court that his client had committed a serious offence under provocation.

Calling for a communitybased disposal, Mr Guarino said: “It’s quite clear this is a very serious matter...it’s fair to say what provoked this incident was a very unseeming episode and the reaction of Mr Maguire to go to the assistance of his father, son and partner’s son is understandable.

“It happened in a very, very short space of time and there was no premeditation.”

Sentencing Maguire, Sheriff David Bicket said: “You were convicted under provocation. It is clear to me from the evidence this incident did not arise to do with you, but from behaviour towards other members of your family.”

Maguire was placed under supervision for two years and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work within a period of 12 months as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.