Galashiels: Man punched fellow pub-goer in face in toilets

Joseph McInulty pleaded guilty to punching the man on the head to his injury at Reivers Sports Bar, in High Street, on September 30 last year.

Prosecutor Xander Van Der Scheer explained that witnesses to the incident arrived at the bar around 7pm when the accused was also present.

He said that during the course of the evening McInulty kept approaching two witnesses and then made a comment to one of them with a sexual connotation.

Mr Van Der Scheer continued: “Later that evening one of the witnesses moved from the bar area to the restrooms. The accused followed him into the toilets and then punched the man to the face – around the left eye.”

The depute fiscal then said the victim returned to the bar area and had to hold a cold drink to his face to soothe the area of the punch.

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The injury was described as swollen but not bruised.

The police were contacted and after being cautioned and charged McInulty replied: “Not true.”

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client was not currently employed as he was currently recovering from bowel cancer and had mobility issues.

He said McInulty had been socialising with his friends and had consumed alcohol to excess.

Mr Hulme said there had been an argument with another group but said his client did not follow the victim into the toilets with the pre-meditated intention to carry out the assault.

He continued: “He just ended up there and had an altercation in which he raised his hand which he now accepts. He apologises for his actions.”

Mr Hulme said his client had since bumped into the man who was working in another bar and apologised for his actions and shook his hand. McInulty, formerly of Earlston but who gave an address in Chris Paterson Place, Galashiels, was fined £270 by Sheriff John McCormick with a £20 victim surcharge added.