Man charged after fight in Edinburgh city centre

A pub fight between two groups of men has ended with a self-employed builder appearing in court.

Ryan Moore was involved the disturbance at Bar Salsa in March 2019.

Moore, 34, had been ejected from the premises by door staff and when outside he was said to have “removed his jumper and displayed a fighting stance”.

Moore then punched doorman Craig Ross to the face as the fighting between the gangs spilled onto the street.

Ryan Moore outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court. Picture: Contributed

Police attended but Moore had moved away before being identified.

The builder, from Gilmerton, was tracked down six months later after he was identified by a Facebook post.

Moore pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Ross by punching him at Bar Salsa, Cowgatehead, on March 2, 2019, when he appeared at the sheriff court on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Sarah Quinn said the fighting erupted inside the bar at around 9.50pm.

Ms Quinn said door staff intervened and Moore was being forcibly moved from the situation.

And while in the street he challenged Mr Ross and swung the punch that connected with his face.

Solicitor Nicola Haston, defending, said her client was a self-employed builder who employed five workers and he lived with his pregnant partner.

Ms Haston added Moore had been “drinking excessively” and that he admitted his behaviour that night had been “unacceptable”.

Sheriff Adrian Cottam said: “You will appreciate all Mr Ross was doing was trying to sort out the mess in the pub and he didn’t deserve to be punched.

“Luckily he didn’t appear to be injured and I will order you to pay him compensation.”

Moore was ordered to pay staff member Craig Ross £250 in compensation.

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