Falkirk court heard how one punch left man with severely fractured leg

After being struck himself, Derek Sneddon (38) punched his attacker in the face, causing him to fall and fracture his leg upon landing.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Sneddon pleaded guilty to the assault to injury offence he committed at the Bobbing John, Drysdale Street, Alloa, on January 6, 2019.

Procurator fiscal depute Katie Cunningham said: “The accused was seen on CCTV to remove his jacket while engaging with the complainer, who struck the accused to the face knock his glasses off.

"The accused then punched him on the face. The complainer lost his balance and fell from the pavement onto the road, landing badly and breaking his leg. A steel rod had to be placed in his leg.”

The court heard Sneddon was very remorseful, although he did “apportion some blame” to the victim, who had hit him.

It was stated Sneddon accepted “in the cold light of day, he should have walked away”.

Sheriff Christopher Shead said: “Although the offence led to a significant injury to the victim it wasn’t and injury that would have been seen as the natural consequence of you punching him.”

He placed Sneddon, 18 King Street, Falkirk, on a supervised community payback order for 18 months with the condition he complete 240 hours unpaid work within 12 months. He also ordered him to pay £2500 compensation to the victim.

- This court story had listed the wrong address for Derek Sneddon when it was first published – apologies for any inconvenience caused.