Battle of Boxing Day louts are in the dock

Mayhem outside pubs in Paisley town centre

Two boozed-up yobs took part in the ‘ Battle of Boxing Day’ after festive revellers clashed in Paisley.

Accused Matthew McCool, 24, and accomplice Ryan McCormick, 19, traded insults and swung punches at other drinkers after tempers flared in Shuttle Street, Paisley, early on December 26 last year.

The rammy kicked off as pubs and clubs were chucking out and two groups of youths were making their way home when words were exchanged, sparking a set-to in the middle of the road.

Fiscal depute Frank Clarke said: “It was around 12.50am in Shuttle Street during late-night opening and various public houses and venues disgorged people.

“It was basically young men with too much to drink who saw fit to engage in a stand-up fight. The incident was captured on video. Fortunately there was no injuries, but a lot of swinging of arms.

“A incident was captured on CCTV where the operator advised police of the incident, who were directed to attend where they interviewed several individuals, two of whom appear in the dock. Both were arrested but were not in a cautioned and charged due to their state of intoxication.”

Yesterday McCool, 24, who hails from Gallowhill Road in Paisley but is currently serving a prison term of 18 months for assault, appeared from custody where he pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear and alarm in that he engaged in a stand-up fight at Shuttle Street on December 26.

Defence agent Charlie McCusker said: “This incident was at the lower end of the scale. It was literally handbags at dawn. A lot of shouting, swearing and swinging of arms. Nobody was hurt and the date reveals too much drink was taken.”

Co- accused Ryan McCormick, of Floorsburn Crescent, Johnstone, also admitted the same charges.

Defence agent Stephen Dryden said: “Too much alcohol was taken and my client is a first offender, with nothing outstanding. Comments made by one person made to another led to this incident. He regrets his involvement.”

Sheriff James Spy handed McCool a 60day sentence because he had committed the offence while out on bail, and deferred sentenced on McCormick to be of good behaviour for four months.