Moment of 'drunken madness' outside a Greenock nightclub has cost a double-assault first offender £900

Charlie Donnelly, 18, punched a man who was out celebrating his 21st birthday — then ran at his friend and thumped him as well.

Donnelly — said to be 'horrified' by his actions — carried out the 2am attacks after leaving Word Up.

The town's sheriff court heard how he involved himself in an altercation between others and was arrested around an hour later.

Prosecutor Pamela Bradley said: "There seemed to be a disagreement between a friend of the accused and a friend of the first complainer

"The first complainer tried to calm the situation and walked away from the accused but the accused punched him to his right eyebrow, which resulted in a cut.

"Another witness grabbed the accused and then let go.

"The accused walked away but he then ran up and punched the man on the jaw."

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "He has viewed, in his drunken state, what he thought was aggressive behaviour and involved himself.

"In sobriety he would not have done.

"His recollection of events is not clear but when advised of the evidence in the case he is horrified at his behaviour.

"His family have made their own view of the matter known to him."

Sheriff Daniel Kelly told painter Donnelly: "This appears to have been a moment of drunken madness on your part that has led you to court today.

"Do not get yourself involved in this type of thing again."

Donnelly, of Partridge Road in Greenock, was fined £600 for the two assaults.

He has been ordered to pay the man he injured a further £300 in compensation, payable at a rate of £100 per week.