Wishaw thug punched man in the face for talking to his wife in seaside town pub

A 21-year-old Wishaw man took umbrage when he saw a man chatting to his wife – and punched him in the face.

Mark McShane’s victim lost consciousness after being assaulted and falling to the ground at The Buf, on Arthur Street, Ayr.

McShane, of East Thornlie Street, appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court on Tuesday, September 10.

He previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Kudakwashe David Mbaserah by pushing him on the body, punching him on the head, causing him to fall and lose consciousness, all to his injury.

The offence took place at the pub on May 12 this year – a little more than a month after the bar opened its doors.

Sheriff John Montgomery deferred sentence on McShane until September 10 in order to obtain a criminal justice social work report.

McShane’s bail conditions were continued.

When McShane appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last Tuesday for sentencing, Fiscal Depute Jo Cunningham told the court how the incident, which happened around 1.35am, was captured on CCTV.

The footage was shown in court.

She said: “The complainer was speaking to two females near to the DJ booth and the accused saw the communication. He was unhappy because he was married to one of the females.

“He asked him (the victim) to cease communication with his wife and during this time the complainer was pushed but did not perceive it as assault.

“He refused the request and the accused punched him on the side of the face.”

Buf in Ayr where the incident took place (Ayrshire Post)

The court was told how the victim fell to the ground and was unconscious for “one or two minutes.”

Police were called and McShane was spoken to and he replied: “I have to be honest, he was being disrespectful to my wife.”

His defence solicitor said: “The complainer made what was disrespectful comments to his wife and the accused behaved in an ‘old fashioned’ way.”

The victim suffered nothing more than swelling to his face.

McShane’s defence agent added: “He is well aware of the consequences of this type of conduct.

“Hopefully he will make better decisions in future.”

Sheriff Desmond Leslie said: “You are going to have to learn the hard way and it’s going to cost you.”

McShane was fined £400 and ordered to pay his victim £300.