Man who attempted to break up row was punched by boxer

An amateur boxer pummelled a man to the ground after he tried to break up a row between him and his girlfriend.

Neil Sorrie intervened when he saw Brogan Townsley arguing with his partner in Perth city centre, and Townsley responded by striking Mr Sorrie in the face, knocking him over and raining down punches as he lay on the pavement.

Townsley, 18, who has competed in local boxing matches at junior level, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting Mr Sorrie to his injury in St John’s Place on March 26.

The court heard Mr Sorrie may have believed the argument was more serious than it was.

Townsley’s lawyer insisted the row was nothing more than a disagreement about whether to go home or stay out and have some food.

The teenager, of Marshall Crescent, Luncarty, has so far completed 107 hours of unpaid work.

Sheriff Gill told Townsley: “Whatever the situation, your reaction was completely unacceptable.”

Sheriff Francis Gill ordered Townsley to pay £300 compensation to his victim.

Imposing the compensation order, the sheriff said: “I have taken into account your very positive Right Track report.”