A TILLICOULTY man could be facing a serious punishment after he pleaded guilty to a vicious assault on a passer-by after a Christmas night out.

Brian Ward appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday where he offered a guilty plea after punching a man on Mill Street on December 17.

After punching him the man to the ground, he proceeded to repeatedly kick him to the head.

Susannah Hutchison, prosecuting, said that at around 3.15am the complainer was walking home from Chalmers nightclub with his girlfriend.

Ms Hutchison continued: “They passed a group which included the accused who was singing football songs which offended the complainer. He [complainer] asked the accused to keep his voice down.”

The accused then approached the complainer and punched him on the face, sending the man to the ground. He then kicked the defenceless man on the head twice.

The victim was then seen to be bleeding from the nose and had both of his front teeth broken in the attack which cost £300 to be fixed. He also suffered a burst lip which had to be glued.

The 31-year-old attacker was subsequently pointed out to police.

Kristina Kelly, defending Ward, told the court that her client had “no memory” of the incident because of how drunk he was, but did remember having an argument with someone and speaking to police.

She added that Ward was a first offender and that any conviction would have an impact on her client’s job. The court also heard that he is due to get married abroad in the next few weeks.

Ms Kelly submitted the suggestion that be Ward to be punished with a financial penalty.

Sheriff David Mackie, however, told Ward, of Upper Mill Street, that the offence was too severe to be dealt with by way of a fine.

He added that kicking to the head is a very serious matter.

The case was deferred for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports and will recall on June 7.