Attack trio knocked victim out

Kicked as he lay senseless

Three drunks subjected a man to a violent assault, knocking him out and leaving him with a catalogue of injuries.

Craig Connelly (18), Owen Ewing (26) and Robert McLachlan (29) attacked their victim by punching him on the head and repeatedly kicking him on the head and body.

Sheriff William Gilchrist decided “with some hesitation” not to impose prison sentences.

The case was continued on McLachlan, of Alexander McLeod Place, Fallin, for medical reports.

Ewing and Connelly, both from Raploch in Stirling, were given community work and supervision.

The incident, which took place on February 7 and was captured on CCTV, happened on Murray Place shortly after the three had left the Fubar nightclub.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard that it was around 2am when a conversation began between a friend of the victim and Connelly. Ewing began to square up to the victim and the assault took place.

McLachlan struck him on the head before Connelly also punched him, knocking him to the ground. While the man was on the pavement Ewing kicked him on the body and Connelly booted him in the face.

As the victim was lying motionless, and apparently unconscious, McLachlan again kicked him on the body.

A member of staff from the nearby Molly Malones pub ran to the aid of the stricken man and administered first aid while the three culprits walked off along Barnton Street.

Police used CCTV images to track the men down nearby.

The court heard that the victim was taken to Forth Valley Royal and treated for a loss of consciousness.

He also received two stitches to a cut above his eye.

Other injuries included tenderness to his torso, swelling to his face, a dislocated thumb and bruising and cuts to his body.

Representing Connelly, who has no previous convictions, defence solicitor Ken Dalling said: “His actions totalled one punch and one kick. He was involved for seven seconds.

“He has expressed his remorse though and has not sought to justify or minimise his behaviour.

“He is appalled by his actions. The fact that the damage could have been so much worse is not lost on him.”

Mr Dalling claimed it was the victim who confronted Ewing prior to the assault taking place.

Solicitor Stephen Maguire, representing Ewing, of Woodside Road, added: “They had been drinking through the day and he regrets becoming involved in this.

“He does have a previous conviction but he appreciates the seriousness of this. He has taken steps to address his alcohol misuse.”

Sheriff Gilchrist told Connelly, of Craighall Street, and McLachlan: “If you were not first offenders I would be considering custody but I’m going to employ an alternative.”

He warned Ewing: “Your difficulty is that you have one previous conviction.

“That would justify the court in imposing custody.

“However, with some hesitation, for reasons of comparative justice I am going to deal with you all in the same way.”

Connelly and Ewing were were ordered to pay £300 compensation each and do 150 hours of community work. Both men were placed under supervision.