Savage attack on dog walker

Thugs caged for assault

The court heard Mr Hunter managed to get away and made his way back to his home.

But the pair, both described only as prisoners, followed and Gibson launched a Buckfast bottle at him but missed his target.

The victim was then stamped on and kicked before his wife heard the disturbance and contacted police.

But it was then disputed in court by Gibson’s lawyer, Gregor Forbes, who told Sheriff John Montgomery his clients’ version of events.

Mr Forbes said: “What Mr Gibson indicates to me was there was a background of dispute and their way of dealing with this was to fight.

“The argument was reached between them by way of a ‘ square go’.

“The accused’s position was he was struck by a weapon.”

Fiscal Lazzarin explained Gibson was also taken to hospital for a 9.5 cm cut to the top of his scalp, where he claimed Mr Hunter assaulted him with a knuckle duster.

But the Sheriff questioned if there was any mention of a weapon in the court documents.

Fiscal Lazzarin added: “There was no weapon recorded by the police.

“It does seem like quite an extensive injury to have been given by a punch.”

Weighing up sentencing options, the Sheriff said: “I’m going to differentiate between you two because of your records.

“Somehow the complainer got the better of you and the both of you decided to stamp on him.

“Mr Gibson you’ll go to jail for 25 months.

“And in your case Mr Murphy, you’ll serve 20 months.”

The pair admitted assaulting William Hunter by repeatedly punching and kicking him and throwing a bottle.

The argument was reached between them by way of a square go