Airth thug who battered man in Falkirk 'without any reason' set to learn punishment
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John Duff, 47 Castle Avenue, Airth, shoved his victim, punched him to the ground and repeatedly kicked his head – to his injury – in Central Retail Park on December 29, 2019.
The charge against Duff states the crime was aggravated by religious prejudice.
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Hide AdThe 23-year-old appeared from custody at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday.
Speaking in February, Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: “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.”
However, last week Sheriff Hamilton said the report he previously requested remained unavailable.
His defence solicitor asked for Duff to be released on bail and said his client has been in custody since December 8.
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Hide AdSheriff Hamilton replied: “One of the reasons I asked for the report was to see if there needed to be a restriction order.
“I was so disturbed by the terms of the Criminal Justice Social Work Report.
“It’s not satisfactory I still don’t have the reports I asked for but I have to assess the risks. I only have half the picture at present and it’s not a very nice half.”
Addressing Duff, the Sheriff said: “I’ve got to think of the public risk. I’m not prepared to release you on bail.”
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Hide AdSentence was deferred until until April 15 for a psychiatric report and Duff was remanded in custody.