Fisherman went to friend’s aid, court hears

A fisherman has been fined for his role in an Oban town centre brawl.

John Kirk, of 58 Springfield Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, pleaded guilty to an assault which took place in George Street on January 15.

At an earlier hearing, co-defendants James Hannah, 43, of 20 Hornel Road, and Stuart Benson, 36, of 9 Hornel Road, both Kirkcudbright, also admitted charges of assault from the same incident.

Their sentence was to a later date.

David Glancy, Procurator Fiscal, told Oban Sheriff Court that the fishermen had been drinking in a town pub.

At around 12.45am, a female customer told her boyfriend that Benson had been ‘staring at her’, said Mr Glancy, who added that ‘an attempt’ was made to discuss the matter to no avail when the venue closed and the two groups left.

As the groups moved through the town, there was a bit of dialogue between the men in the different parties and various fights broke out, he said.

One man was punched, deferred dragged along the ground for a short distance and suffered a black eye and scratches down his face, while another was punched, said Mr Glancy.

Of Kirk’s involvement, Mr Glancy said the 36-year-old had punched one man ‘several times’ on the head.

Police obtained CCTV footage and located the men and they were charged.

Defence

Edward Thornton, representing Kirk, who was not in court, explained his client had only become involved because he had gone to the defence of one of his friends.

However, Kirk recognised his actions went beyond what could be seen as self defence, so he had pleaded guilty to the charge.

Although he had a police record for traffic matters, Kirk was not normally involved in such incidents, said Mr Thornton, adding that he was a working man supporting a partner and two children.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes fined Kirk £280 for the assault and imposed a £20 victim surcharge.