Man is attacked after row over designer shoes
A MAN attacked a fellow pub-goer after their partners had an argument over designer shoes.
Robert McAvoy, 32, punched Neil Bennett on the face after Mr Bennett’s partner threw a drink over his girlfriend.
During the “large scale disturbance” that then broke out in October Cafe, in Glasgow’s Princes Square, McAvoy continued his sustained attack on Mr Bennett.
At the same time Amanda McAvoy and Mr Bennett’s partner Linzi MacGregor fought with one another.
Mr Bennett was knocked unconscious during the disturbance and helped by an off duty doctor and paramedic.
McAvoy was found by police using a picture of him and his friends taken earlier that night from October’s official Facebook page.
The dad-of-two, from New Stevenston, Motherwell, pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Mr Bennett on August 23, 2015, to his severe injury and permanent impairment.
Yesterday, sheriff Martin Jones QC told McCoy that “reluctantly and with some hesitation” he wasn’t jailing him and instead imposed an 18-month community payback order.
He will be supervised, must carry out 270 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and pay Mr Bennett £3200 compensation.
The court heard previously McAvoy and his wife along with two other couples went to October Cafe to celebrate the birth of a baby.
Mr Bennett, his partner and another couple were also in the pub that evening.
Procurator fiscal depute Stewart Bell said: “Throughout the course of the evening, words were exchanged between the female members of both groups.
“This seemed to be in relation to the designer Christian Louboutin shoes that were being worn by Linzi MacGregor.”
Around 12.45am Mr Bennett and Miss MacGregor made their way out of the bar.
As they headed for the exit Mrs McAvoy hit Miss MacGregor with her elbow but only made slight contact.
Mr Bell said: “Miss MacGregor turned round and threw the content of her drink over Mrs McAvoy.
“The accused immediately swung out at Mr Bennett, landing a significant punch to his face.”
A large scale disturbance took place and McAvoy continued his attack on Mr Bennett, repeatedly punching him on the head and body.
Mr Bennett was admitted to the Southern General hospital on August 23 and found to have fractures to his upper jaw on both sides and received treatment to reposition it.
Defence lawyer CallumWeir said his client has “nothing but remorse for his actions and sympathy for his victim”.