Violence exploded after dad’s six-hour booze binge
A barber grieving the loss of his mum glassed a man in the head during a violent bar fight.
Drunken Darren Russell, 31, had been downing pints in the Crown Bar, next to his barber shop at the town’s Broomlands Street, last December when tempers frayed.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Russell had been going round the bar approaching drinkers to speak about his bereavement when he got involved in a fight with another drinker, William Ritchie.
Fiscal depute Margaret McCallum told the court : “The accused entered the bar at 4pm and began consuming alcohol.
“The accused is the owner of a barber shop next to the pub and is well known to the staff.
“He appeared emotional when he entered the premises. He stated it was the anniversary of his mother’s death.
“The accused displayed highly-emotional behaviour. He was approaching other patrons and attempting to engage them in conversation.”
The court heard violence flared at 10pm when victim Mr Ritchie told Russell “to get the f**k out of my face” and lashed out in anger.
Ms McCallum added: “The accused struck him on the head with a glass and Mr Ritchie fell to the ground, where the accused began to punch him to the head and face.
“Bar staff intervened and managed to pull the accused away.
“He ran out of the pub. Police and ambulance were called and Mr Ritchie’s injuries were noted.”
The victim was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, where he received seven stitches to a three-inch wound in his head.
Police later saw Russell bleeding from a laceration to his hand near to his home at Stock Street, where he was arrested and taken into custody following the incident on December 13 in Broomlands Street.
Russell pleaded guilty to the attack, which left Mr Ritchie with severe injuries and permanent disfigurement.
Defence agent Paul Lynch said: “Normally, a conviction of this nature would result in a custodial sentence. I am hoping to persuade your lordship there is an alternative to that.
“He has no convictions whatsoever. It is a curious case.
“It was the anniversary of his mother’s death and the grief was apparent to everyone in the pub, and he drank more than he should have.
“He is a father of three, a working man who supports his family. He very much regrets this matter and he pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier diet.”
Sheriff James Spy said he came close to jailing Russell.
He said: “Custody was uppermost in my mind, however, factors in mitigation are you were not the initial aggressor, and are a first offender, so I am satisfied there is an alternative to prison.”
He handed Russell a Community Payback Order lasting 12 months, comprising social work supervision, alcohol counselling and requiring him to do 250 hours unpaid work for the benefit of the community.
He appeared emotional when he entered the premises. He stated it was the anniversary of his mother’s death Margaret McCallum