Thugs beat up man in nightclub attack

Published 15 Sep 2011 08:00

A GROUP of thugs knocked a man unconscious and continued to lay into his motionless body outside a nightclub, Alloa Sheriff Court heard.

Graeme McKinsley (22), Steven Montgomery (21), John Salmond (18) and Robert Stevenson (21) all admitted the brutal assault near Chalmers.

The four came to blows with their victim after an apparent incident in the Bank Street club.

CCTV operators watched in horror as the thugs rounded on the man and knocked him out.

Despite being clearly unconscious on the ground, the hoodlums continued to lash out at him. Before they eventually ran off Salmond stood over the man and spat on his body.

On Thursday, Sauchie youths Montgomery, of Deer Park, and Salmond, of Branshill Park, were both sentenced to a 12 month Community Payback Order including 200 hours and 150 hours unpaid work, respectively.

McKinsley and Stevenson were sentenced last month for their part in the assault on 20 February.

At a previous hearding fiscal depute Sue Ruta explained that the complainer had been in Chalmers and was waiting outside at 2.15am when he got in an argument with the four men. The attack was captured on CCTV.

She said, "The argument intensified and Stevenson punched the complainer to the head, following which Montgomery also punched the complainer to his blind side, making contact to his head, causing him to stumble back.

"McKinsley then punched the complainer to the head and he fell to the ground and appeared to be unconscious.

"Thereafter Stevenson kicked the complainer to the head. McKinsley and Montgomery also kicked him to the head and body. Salmond attempted to kick the complainer but didn't connect. He then stood over the unconscious complainer and spat on him."

The four ran off and police traced McKinsley, Salmond and Montgomery a short time later at Alloa Tower. Officers caught up with Stevenson at his home. The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated for cuts and bruising to his face.

Ms Ruta said he told doctors he could not remember anything from the incident.

Alistair Burleigh, defending first offender Montgomery, said, "He fully accepts he became involved in the incident and that it should never have developed in the way it did."

Robert Smith, defending Salmond, said, "Mr Salmond accepts he should have not become involved to any extent and should have walked away. His involvement came at the tail end of the incident."

He said that first offender Salmond, a promising golfer who had previously secured a scholarship to the USA, was remorseful for his actions.

Mr Smith went on, "His position in the [social enquiry] report is it is the stupidest thing he has ever done. He is deeply remorseful for his involvement and the fact that he spat is reprehensible."

Sheriff David Mackie told Montgomery, "This was a serious matter that got totally out of hand but I recognise that you appear as a first offender."

He added to Salmond, "I accept that you are remorseful and your part in the assault might have been restricted but you remained involved all the same and were part of the group."

Tweet

This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 14 Sep 11

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @alloatiser