No jail for pub attack

A thug who struck a Wishaw pub worker on the head with a glass on Christmas Day has been spared jail.

Derek Felvus appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week for sentencing having already pleaded guilty to attacking Scott Reid at the Commercial Hotel’s Live Lounge, in Wishaw Main Street, on December 25.

The 21-year-old committed the offence while he was on bail.

A charge that Felvus assaulted a woman on the same night by pushing her on the body and causing her to fall to the ground was dropped by prosecutors.

Writing on the Wishaw Press Facebook page in January, Felvus protested our story“couldn’t be further from the truth”.

He then went on to post:“I was 100 per cent out of order and very drunk; no excuse.

“But I was attacked by a girl with high heels and seven or eight people cornered me.”

However, at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week, it was revealed by Sheriff Ross Mcfarlane that Felvus, formerly of Newton Mearns but now of Carlisle Road, Hamilton, had appeared in court for the seventh time in just four years.

However, despite the threat of prison, Sheriff Mcfarlane opted to follow the recommendations of the report prepared by social workers.

Felvus was put on a 30-month community payback order with a supervision requirement.

He was also told to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

Sheriff Mcfarlane told the accused: “This sentence is a direct alternative to custody.

“I hope there isn’t a next time but if there is you will be sent to prison.”