An industrial cleaner who battered a man who had thrown him out of his flat on a New Year's Day morning has dodged a jail sentence.
Connor Rennie, 23, left victim Aaron Wood, with a broken nose, two fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, and numerous cuts and bruises.
A court heard Rennie and Mr Wood -- a cousin of Rennie's girlfriend -- had been seeing in the 2020 new year with "no issues" at a pub in Tillicoultry, Clacks and at a house party with "no issues", but then moved on to Mr Wood's home in Cairnton Place, Tillicoultry.
An argument then took place between Mr Wood and Rennie, which "resulted in Mr Wood putting the accused and all other persons out", Falkirk Sheriff Court was told.
Prosecutor Kristina Kelly said: "Mr Wood heard the door being kicked and as he looked out he saw a foot coming through the bottom half of the door. He then observed the accused inside his flat.
"The accused began assaulting him, repeatedly punching him on the head and body, getting him to the ground, and continuing to punch him to the head and body and kicking him on the body."
Mr Wood managed to flee and ran out of his close, pursued by Rennie, whom he managed to lose, before alerting his grandfather, who lived nearby.
Police were contacted and Mr Wood was taken to Larbert hospital, where doctors had to insert a chest drain. He remained in hospital until January 3rd, 2020.
Rennie, of Comrie Court, Tillicoultry, pleaded guilty to hamesucken -- the Scots law offence of invading someone's home and assaulting them -- causing severe injury.
Solicitor Virgil Crawford, defending, said: "The incident was one which was clearly born of alcohol."
Sheriff Christopher Shead said Rennie had been a first offender at the time of the offence, which took place over two years ago, and he also had to take account of new sentencing guidance -- which instructs courts to consider carefully before jailing offenders under 25.
He sentenced Rennie to 225 hours of unpaid work, placed him under social work supervision for 18 months, and ordered him to pay Mr Wood £1000 compensation.
