An “out-of-control” thug who stamped on a dad in front of his daughter has been caged.
David Brannigan, 20, was among and his daughter Nicole McKechan in a gang rampage in Paisley.
Yobs Brannigan, Daniel Dickson, 19, Chloe Robertson, 19, and Kirsteen Templeton, 20, set upon Mr Finnie and Ms McKechan as they waited for a cab.
A fifth accomplice Caitlin Elliot, 20, who was Brannigan’s girlfriend, had her plea of not guilty to accepted by the prosecution.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard the mob approached the victims to ask for a cigarette – and when they refused the gang exploded in violence.
All four either punched or kicked their victims at the town’s County Square.
The appalling incident, which was captured on CCTV, was laid bare during a court hearing, where all four pleaded guilty to charges of assault and robbery, which took place on August 4 last
year.
Procurator Fiscal depute Joanne Gilmour told the court how Brannigan punched Mr Finnie, causing him to stumble and fall over.
Brannigan is seen to leave but then goes back and is seen kicking and punching Mr Finnie again on the head and body.
The court heard the gang dispersed, leaving their victims bleeding, bruised and badly shaken.
Brannigan, of McKerrell Street, in Paisley, pleaded guilty to charges of punching Mr Finnie, causing him to stumble, and repeatedly kicking him and punching him to the head, causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness.
Defence agent Jonathan Manson said: “You will have seen the video, seen David Brannigan’s involvement in the assault, and it has been indicated to him that he is very fortunate there was no serious injury in this case.
“People who get involved in this sort of incident in a public thoroughfare generally face the jail, or end up in the high court for murder.”
Sheriff Colin Pettigrew tore a strip off Brannigan, who slumped in the dock, as he handed him his jail stretch.
He said: “You pleaded guilty to charge two on the indictment.
“You assaulted Paul Finnie by kicking him on the body causing him to stumble, and repeatedly punched and kicked him on the head, causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness, albeit for a few moments, all to his injury.
“The violence exhibited by you can be observed clearly on CCTV, where you went away, came back, went away and came back, and repeatedly punched and kicked him on the head.
“This is a serious offence.
“You are fortunate not to be standing in the high court facing a much more serious charge.
“Even a single punch to the head can have fatal consequences.
“You were intoxicated by alcohol and had taken drugs.
“You were quite clearly out of control.”
The judge said he had considered handing Brannigan a Restriction of Liberty Order (ROLO) but thought it too risky given he had racked up three breaches of his curfew while out on bail.
Sheriff Pettigrew added: “Taking in the public interest, the nature and gravity of the offence, and to deter others from similar offending, I consider that a custodial sentence is an appropriate disposal in dealing with you.”
He jailed him for 12 months, reduced from 15 months because of his early plea of guilty.
