A McDonald’s worker had his cheekbone shattered when he was attacked by a complete stranger as he walked home after a late-night shift.
Daniel Thompson, 21, was jailed for two years at Hamilton Sheriff Court for the “despicable” assault.
He admitted punching Jonathan Gabbitas repeatedly on the face to his severe injury in Udston Road, Hamilton, on October 16.
Thompson was on bail at the time.
Michael Macintosh, prosecuting, said the victim had finished work at McDonald’s and was walking home around 2am when Thomson ran towards him, shouting about money.
The fiscal explained: “Gabbitas pleaded with the accused to leave him alone and said he had no money to give him.
“Thompson then punched him three times on the face.
“This caused severe swelling and bruising, and a fractured cheekbone was diagnosed.”
Gabbitas was able to give police a description and officers on patrol found Thompson nearby.
Defence agent Ian Scott said his client had no excuses and was “horrified” by his behaviour.
Mr Scott told the court: “It would appear to be an attack on a random stranger.
“My client spent years in residential care since the age of eight. He is in the throes of a valium habit and had consumed this and alcohol on the night of the assault.”
Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen told Thompson: “This was a despicable attack.
“Mr Gabbitas’s only sin was to be walking home from work when he was set upon by a complete stranger.
“You have previous convictions for violence and community-based disposals have failed.
“Custody is the only appropriate sentence and it would have been 32 months but for your guilty plea.”
