Man avoids jail term over attack

A THUG who fractured a man’s eye socket which was recorded on a mobile phone avoided jail.

Stephen McKnight,

29, pounced on Andrew Gardner in Glasgow city centre on September 9, 2022.

McKnight, of Largs, Ayrshire, was seen to punch Mr Gardner on the face which caused the bleeding victim to fall to the ground.

The attacker fled the scene but was caught by police due to the recording which helped identify McKnight as being involved.

The victim meantime was treated at hospital for a displaced cheekbone as well as the fractured eye socket.

McKnight pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week to assaulting Mr Gardner to his severe injury.

Sheriff Andrew Cubie ordered McKnight to do 250 hours of unpaid work and put under supervision for 18 months.

McKnight will also pay Mr Gardner £ 1500 in compensation.

The court heard that witnesses became aware of a disturbance between the two men on Sauchiehall Street.

Prosecutor Ryan Watson said: “One witness took his phone out to film the ongoing altercation.

“At this time, McKnight lunged forward and punched the victim to the face, causing his nose to bleed and him to fall to the ground.

“McKnight then made off on foot.”

Police were approached by Mr Gardner whose nose was still bleeding but was unable to recall events.

Mr Watson said: “Officers viewed the aforementioned video and took a still shot of McKnight on their devices for identification purposes.”

Mr Gardner was then taken to hospital for treatment for a displaced cheekbone, fractured eye socket and facial bones.

He was given the option of an operation to move the cheekbone back into place but there were potential risks to the eyeball and facial nerves.

Officers later spotted McKnight walking on Sauchiehall Street who matched the still image taken from the video.

He was then arrested and taken to a police station.