A boxer who knocked-out a man with a single punch outside an East Kilbride nightclub has avoided custody.
William Marshall’s victim suffered a double fracture to his jaw and needed surgery, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard.
Marshall, 19, of Elgin Avenue, East Mains, admitted assaulting Ross MacPhee to his severe injury in Cornwall Way, East Kilbride, on April 28 last year.
After studying background reports, Sheriff Shiona Waldron said she was prepared to impose a community payback order rather than a custodial sentence.
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First offender Marshall was placed under supervision for 12 months and ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid community work and pay £600 compensation.
He will also be electronically tagged for nine weeks which means he can’t go out between 7pm and 7am.
Paula Russell, prosecuting, said that Mr MacPhee was leaving the club with friends around 3am.
There was an “ongoing altercation” in the street and Mr MacPhee tried to act as peacemaker.
Ms Russell told the court: “Marshall ran towards him and punched him immediately, causing Mr MacPhee to fall to the ground and lose consciousness.”
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CCTV footage of the attack was shown in court.
The victim was taken to hospital and had an operation under general anaesthetic to reset his jaw bone. He spent five days in hospital, but the court heard he has made a good recovery from his injuries.
Ms Russell said that police officers saw Marshall sitting behind a car in a car park.
His parents were present, having driven to the town centre to look for him.
The fiscal added: “Initially he was spoken to as a witness, having told officers he was the victim of an assault.
“Officers noted his only injury was to his hand. He said an unidentified man had taken exception to a conversation he was having about football.
“Marshall alleged that this man tried to punch him on the head but, as a trained boxer, he avoided the blow.
“He told the officers that he punched the man in self-defence.”
