Man dodges jail after attack on pub landlord
A man who punched a pub landlord, breaking his spectacles and hearing aid, has been spared jail.
Gavin Landsborough, admitted to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting, refusing to leave the Cowie Tavern and fighting with John Sneddon earlier this year.
Landsborough, 27, turned up at the popular watering hole in Main Street, Cowie, around 5pm on January 19. Landsborough was with a pal when he asked to speak to the Mr Sneddon. He was told that he was being a nuisance to other customers and Landsborough urged the witness to go outside. Fiscal depute Lindsey Brooks said: “The accused was heard to say that by John Sneddon and he intervened and told the accused to leave. The accused said ‘I’ll wait for you when you shut the shop tonight’. The accused was then ushered outside by the witness and once outside John Sneddon attempted to grab the accused and the accused punched him on the ear causing his hearing aid to fall out.” The police were then called and Landsborough left the scene before they arrived. He was traced on January 27. Defence agent, Frazer McCready said: “I’m in no way going to attempt to minimise the serious nature of the offence.
“He (Landsborough) is aware that your lordship will be considering all options, including custody. He had visited friends in Cowie when he became heavily intoxicated.” Mr McCready also told the court how Landsborough described the incident as a ‘drunken mistake’ for which he is deeply regretful, adding “He was the one who was out of order.”
Sheriff Wyllie Robertson placed Landsborough on a community payback order that will include 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and placed him under supervision for two years. He was also ordered to pay £1600 in compensation for the damage to the hearing aid.