A FORMER Scots footballer was caught up in a pub attack probe after a man was punched unconscious.
Peter Hetherston, 60, ended up being charged with attempted murder as did his trained boxer brother Martin Hetherston, 57, and Lauren McGowan, 31.
Victim Charles Houston was left badly hurt after being set upon at the Joker Bar in Bellshill, Lanarkshire on July 2 2022.
Former Aberdeen, Falkirk, and Raith Rovers midfielder Hetherston was joined in the dock this week at the High Court in Glasgow by his sibling and McGowan.
They had been due to stand trial accused of attempted murder.
But, the ex-footballer and McGowan walked free after prosecutor Liam Ewing KC accepted their not guilty pleas.
Martin Hetherston instead admitted to a reduced charge of assaulting Houston to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and to the danger of his life.
The court heard how Houston and his friend Ian Mitchell went to the bar to sell cigarettes and a dash cam.
The men spoke to a member of staff who said that they knew someone who would be interested in purchasing them.
Houston and Mitchell were directed to the beer garden and were soon joined by Hetherston and another man.
Prosecutor Ewing said: "Hetherston immediately punched Mr Houston once on the head causing him to fall to the ground.
"He then punched Mr Mitchell on the head before he was pulled away by the other man.
"This other individual then punched Mr Mitchell on the head."
The associate stated to Mitchell as the pair fled the scene: "If you open your mouth, you will get worse."
The hearing was told Houston was initially unconscious for seven minutes.
He came to and managed to walk away from the pub, but was found stricken again by paramedics outside a nearby property.
Houston was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a cut to his head, a fractured jaw as well as a blood clot between the skull and surface of the brain.
This then involved surgery as well as plates and screws fitted to repair the damage to his jaw.
Ewing added: "The blood clot and swelling to his brain were life threatening and if he did not have the operation he would have died."
It was stated that Houston has suffered from epileptic fits since the incident and struggles with fatigue.
Martin Hetherston, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, also admitted to assaulting Mitchell.
Lord Colbeck continued his bail pending sentencing next month.
