Airth thug battered man in Falkirk car park 'without any reason'

John Duff, 23, 47 Castle Avenue, Airth, shoved his victim, punched him to the ground and repeatedly kicked his head in Central Retail Park on December 29, 2019.

The charge against Duff states the crime was aggravated by religious prejudice.

He was due to appear for sentence at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday but his lawyer, Graeme Brown, said he’d been told Duff was unable to leave his cell at Low Moss Prison as staff suspected he was “under the influence”.

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Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: “I’d asked for a psychiatric and psychological report. We need to continue it to get that report.

“He got out his car and leathered this individual without any reason – and said he’d been looking to go out and leather someone – so I need to get a psychiatric report before anything is done.”

Sentence was deferred until March 18.

Duff was remanded in custody.

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