Violence flaredat takeaway

A ‘peace maker’ who knocked a man unconscious in a city centre street has been jailed.

Bernard McDonagh (20) had been out with his wife when he assaulted another man who threatened her.

McDonagh, of Dungannon, Northern Ireland, appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday for sentencing.

The incident happened at the McDonald’s fast food restaurant in Murray Place, Stirling, on April 15 this year.

The court heard how the victim, Stephen Roxburgh, was punched on the head and fell to the ground.

Defence agent, Ken Dalling, told how McDonagh and his wife had been in town with others when the incident happened. Mr Dalling also told how the victim and witnesses had been watching what he described as ‘cage fighting’ in Alloa prior to the incident.

Mr Dalling said McDonagh had initially been trying to calm the situation down before landing a single punch. He said: “He found himself in a difficult situation which was not of his making.

“He was in the company of his wife and was not looking to cause any trouble. He was trying to make his way away from the incident. Having then heard the complainer threatening his wife he stepped in and the complainer was knocked unconscious. Right up until that point he was the peace maker.”

Mr Dalling added that the victim had not suffered any lasting effects from the blow.

Sheriff Wyllie Robertson pointed out how McDonagh has a previous conviction for assault and told the court how a priest had written to the court in McDonagh’s defence.

Sheriff Robertson said: “I appreciate that your parish priest has written a reference for you and he explains that this is out of character, but it’s not. I also appreciate that the trouble was not of your making, but I have to take into account that you punched this man and knocked him unconscious.”

McDonagh was jailed for seven months.