Thug assaulted drinking buddy

Jun 11 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A THUG who assaulted a friend after he asked him to leave his house has been fined.

Thomas Doyle had been with friends drinking at a house on Ramsay Crescent, Bathgate on May 3, last year.

Linlithgow Sheriff Court heard that around 10pm the owner of the house decided he was finished with drinking and asked the others to leave.

Senior procurator fiscal depute Helen McCannell said: “He went into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

“The accused was the only one not to leave the house and was shouting that the complainer was a p***k. He went outside and continued shouting offensive remarks.

“The complainer then left his house and asked the accused what his problem was and something else was said.

“The accused then squared up to him and they started to fight.

“The complainer was then struck on the head and the body during the course of the fight.

“He managed to get inside and called the police but refused medical treatment.”

Last week Doyle, whose address was given as Kenmore Avenue, Livingston, pled guilty to the assault.

His solicitor, Ian Bryce, said his client was trying to be funny when he called his victim names.

Mr Bryce added: “He was trying to be funny, not offensive.

“There is just the one conviction for assault and he did spend seven days in custody for this offence.”

Fining Doyle £300, Sheriff Thomas Ward said: “Taking into account the very reduced libel and the fact you spent seven days in custody I will fine you.”