A scuffle in a front garden which resulted in a broken jaw and witnesses having an air gun aimed at them has seen two men ordered to carry out unpaid work.

John Kirkwood, 40, assaulted and severely injured a man during a fight on Scott Baird’s front lawn in Stevenston’s Glencairn Gardens on June 5 last year. During the rammy, Baird, 22, came out his door and aimed an air weapon at five people, causing them alarm.

The pair returned for sentencing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week, having previously pled guilty to one charge each.

Kirkwood, of Stevenston’s Morrison Avenue, had been involved in a fight on Baird’s lawn when he punched a man to the face, causing him to fall to the ground. The man subsequently suffered a broken jaw.

Defending Kirkwood, solicitor Douglas MacPhee, said: “He’s in full time employment and in a very stable relationship. From the very outset he has accepted his guilt.

“He acted inappropriately, lashed out, and recognised his behaviour which was reckless. Alcohol has played an unfortunate part in this incident.”

Baird’s solicitor Kenneth McGowan added: “He appears as a 22-year-old first offender to the court. He accepts responsibility, blames his alcohol consumption.

“He’s a young man with potentially a very good career ahead of him. This could have very long-lasting repercussions due to the nature of this offence. He’s been assessed as at low risk of reoffending.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon said: “This I a serious disturbance which took place,” adding to Kirkwood: “This was a serious injury which was inflicted on the gentleman.”

Kirkwood was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work and placed on a Restriction of Liberty Order for eight weeks. Baird was ordered to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work within six months.