Stag do reveller robbed as he made his way home

Court hears how man was also badly beaten up

Two thugs were covered in blood after a vicious attack and street robbery on a Paisley reveller, a court was told.

Brute Darrell Murphy, 38, and his 28-year-old accomplice who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pounced on victim Connor Ferguson as he made his way home from a stag party.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard the duo, who were skulking in a doorway at Causeyside Street, brutalised Mr Ferguson amid claims he was “acting the wideo.”

The fiends dragged him up the lane outside Mothercare, punched and kicked him to the ground, and robbed him of his gold iPhone 7, £ 70 in cash, his wallet and bank cards.

Depute fiscal David McDonald said: “On Saturday March 10 at around 3.15pm, Connor Ferguson left his home address and made his way into Paisley town centre to attend a stag do.

“At around 3.30am on Sunday March 11 he had left his friends and was making his way to a taxi rank when he was engaged in conversation with three males.

“These males described him as ‘acting the wido.’

“Mr Ferguson was next to the lane at Mothercare when two of the males started punching him in the face. He fell and he was kicked on the head and body by two of these males.

“He tried to protect himself by placing both arms up over his head.

“Mr Ferguson tried to get up but he was knocked back to the ground.

“The males left him there and made their way in the direction of the taxi rank at Gilmour Street.”

The court heard as the victim staggered away he realised he had been robbed of his gold iPhone 7, his wallet containing bank cards and £70 cash.

The fiscal added: “Mr Ferguson informed staff at Vienna’s nightclub he had been assaulted and they informed police.”

Cops who examined the crime scene found blood splatters on shop shutters at Causeyside Street and blood droplets on the pavement.

CCTV footage also captured the incident where Murphy and his sidekick were seen following Mr Ferguson into the lane.

Murphy was also seen later standing at the taxi rank at Gilmour Street counting bank notes.

Police who arrested them found blood on Murphy’s hands, which matched the victim.

Bloodstains were also recovered from both of the yobs’ training shoes, which also matched the DNA profile of Mr Ferguson.

Yesterday Murphy and his coaccused both pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting Mr Ferguson by repeatedly punching him on the head, causing him to fall to the ground, thereafter repeatedly punching and kicking on the head and body to his injury, and robbing him of a mobile phone, a wallet and £70 cash.

Defence agent Charlie McCusker, representing both accused, confirmed they were pleading guilty to the charges but added there was a background of provocation.

He said: “Both accused maintain that Mr Ferguson was acting the wideo.

“He was noising them up as he walked past them.

“He made reference to them having no money and asked them to turn out their pockets and show him their money.

“Primarily he was the catalyst and made himself known to the accused in a very unpleasant manner.”

Sheriff Seith Ireland remanded both in custody for background reports telling them they have both pleaded guilty to “a very serious matter.”

Each will learn of his fate on June 7 when called back to court for sentencing.