A SHERIFF has ordered a West Kilbride man to pay £600 to the court for his part in a bar spat which could have been “catastrophic”.

James Beattie was fined after appearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.

The victim was said to have returned to West Kilbride at around 8.30pm on March 12, having been in Glasgow watching Scotland's Six Nations rugby match against Italy.

He then made his way to a local pub and it was there that 33-year-old Beattie confronted him.

Last Thursday’s hearing was told that the pair knew each other from school.

The procurator fiscal depute said: “He offered him a drink then sat at a table.

“The accused asked the witness ‘Have you got a problem with me?’

“He said ‘No’, and the accused stood up and asked the same question again.

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“Words were exchanged before the accused pulled the witness back from his chair causing it to tip and him to fall back.

"He struck his head on the stone floor and was knocked unconscious for 60-90 seconds.”

The victim lay in the recovery position for two hours before being placed on a chair, and at 3am the ambulance still hadn't arrived, so his friends took him home.

Police attended at Beattie's home address the next morning where he was cautioned and charged.

The victim experienced dizziness and blurred vision but did not require further medical attention.

Sheriff Alistair Watson told Beattie, who has no previous convictions: "Given your clean record it does seem to be an aberration, but it was a significant aberration.

"Someone hitting their head on solid ground has the potential to be catastrophic."

Beattie was fined £600 and must pay the sum within 28 days.