A 20-year-old man has been ordered to pay compensation and placed on an electronic tag after admitting assaulting and injuring two men in Kilwinning.

Nicholas Scott, of Stevenston’s Hawkhill Place, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week, having previously pled guilty to two charges. Scott punched two men on the head, one to the complainer’s severe injury, at a property in Nursery Place on August 13.

Defending Scott, solicitor Brian Holliman told the court that he understood that his client had been acting in self defence when he assaulted the men.

He said that Scott had “thought he was going to be attacked and that, added to his level of intoxication” had caused him to act the way he did.

Mr Holliman added: “The offences were committed against a background of having too much to drink.

“The complainers and the accused were well known to each other and there are no hard feelings between them.

“On that evening he did approach and apologise to one of the complainers. Later, he apologised to the second complainer.

“It seems that all parties have resolved any issues.

“He has now been subject to special conditions of bail and had no contact with the complainers.

“The report is, in general terms, positive. It shows a man who has a work ethic.

“The gravity of these [offences] and the consequences are not lost on Mr Scott.

“He’s fit and able to carry out unpaid work and the report shows he can comply with a Restriction of Liberty Order. He can pay compensation.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon told Scott: “The offences, particularly the one involving the severe injury are very serious. Your behaviour on that night was bullying and unacceptable.”

For the assault to injury charge, Sheriff Hanlon placed Scott on a Restriction of Liberty Order for nine weeks.

For the charge of assault to severe injury, the sheriff ordered Scott to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work and pay £200 in compensation.