A thug who repeatedly punched and kicked a man at the rear of a clothing store was spared jail today.
Ryan Hutchison, 22, left victim Jonathan Thomson needing nine stitches after the incident at the rear of the Matalan store in Langlees, Falkirk.
Falkirk Sheriff Court heard the incident occurred about five past midnight on November 15th, 2020, after the victim had exchanged phone messages with another person who was attending a nearby house party.
Hutchison, who was at the party, then left the get-together with others, saying they were "going to Matalan".
The group gathered in a lane between Matalan and a carpet warehouse.
A fight then began, with Hutchison and another male "swinging punches" at Mr Thomson.
Mr Thomson was knocked to the ground.
Thomson and the other attacker then repeatedly kicked and punched Mr Thomson to the head and body.
Mr Thomson said, "You've made your point, now get off me" and Hutchison and the other male were pulled away from Mr Thomson, who was bleeding from facial wounds.
Mr Thomson returned to his home nearby and his father called an ambulance.
Doctors at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital used a total of nine stitches to close wounds to his eyebrow and mouth.
Hutchison was later identified as one of those responsible, and arrested.
He was cautioned and charged and replied, "I cannae remember it that well. I'm sorry, I'm not a violent person. I had too much to drink, and I regret it."
Hutchison, of Langlees, pleaded guilty to assault causing injury.
Defence solicitor Dick Sandeman said Hutchison had been "foolish" to get involved, and accepted his responsibility at an early stage.
He said: "This is is first involvement in violence.
"He had been at the party, and he'd had far too much to drink.
"Fortunately the injury was not more serious than it turned out to be."
Sheriff Christopher Shead placed Hutchison on social work supervision for 18 months, and ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
He said: "This was random unnecessary violence.
"This was plainly a serious offence. It's the kind of offence that distresses people in the community so much."
He warned Hutchison: "If you breach this order you may reasonably expect to be sent to prison."
