TWO MEN have pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in Alloa town centre last June in an alleged revenge attack.

Alan Black (21) and Calum Rodgers (24) admitted to chasing the complainer down Mill Street before repeatedly punching and kicking him on the head and body.

Appearing at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday (3 November) Black, of Delaney Court, Alloa, argued he had been a victim of an assault himself by the complainer at a nearby nightclub earlier that night.

The court heard how the two were being driven along the street when they spotted the complainer and took their revenge.

Depute Fiscal David McDonald said: “The complainer was on Mill Street in Alloa looking for his mobile phone when he became aware of a car driving alongside him.

“The car then stopped and the two accused got out and the complainer took off.

“They then chased after him and the complainer then fell to the ground.

“Both accused were then seen to repeatedly punch and kick him on the head and body by two police witnesses.

“They were both arrested for assault – the result of which left the complainer with sore ribs and a cut lip.” Robert Smith, appearing on behalf of Black, said: “The circumstances of this incident are that Mr Black was assaulted earlier on in the night by the complainer and that the accused was still very angry about it when they passed him in the street.

“He accepts getting out of the car, chasing him and then punching and kicking him.

“He was drinking that evening but it was particularly heavy. He deeply regrets his involvement in this incident.” Elaine Buist, speaking for the co-accused Rodgers, said: “He is deeply ashamed of his actions and finds it difficult to explain why he was involved in this incident to the extent he was.

“He has no previous convictions and has had no other contact with the police.” Sheriff John Mundy discussed the issue of provocation, but ruled that it does not permit the actions taken by the two accused.

He said: “It may well be that there was an earlier altercation between the complainer and Mr Black, but that is no excuse for punching and kicking someone on the head and body.

“It should be noted that those who appear in court charged with kicking someone on the head are normally in risk of being sent to prison.

“I won’t do that in this instance but I will impose a compensation order of £250 each.” Black will have 28 days to pay while Rodgers, of Chapelhill, Clackmannan, has agreed to pay £10 per week.