Row over pub pool game led to huge fight which spilled onto Musselburgh street

A disagreement over a game of pool in a Musselburgh pub has led to a local binman appearing in court.

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Craig McLean, 37, was playing the game with Malcolm Walker at the the town’s Horseshoe Tavern when the row turned violent.

Both men were seen to swing punches at each other and the fight ended up out in the street outside the premises.

Thug chalked-up a fine after pool match brawl in the Horseshoe Tavern

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told both men were within the public house at around 7.30pm on August 11, 2019.

An “argument broke out between the men” which was witnessed by members of the bar staff.

The staff heard comments like “dinnae be a wido with me” from one of the men before “punches were thrown and exchanged” between the pair.

The violence spilled out into the street and both men were said to have been “going for each other” while outside.

The court was told “Mr McLean employed greater violence and Mr Walker was on the ground” and the accused man was seen to punch his victim to the face.

Mr Walker was said to have been left “bloodied and injured” by the fracas and he had to receive medical treatment to his wounds.

He suffered a fractured cheek bone but did not require surgery.

Defending lawyer Chris Fehilly said the incident was “tragically avoidable” and the fight had developed over a game of pool.

He said both men had been “drinking heavily” that day and began “arguing over nothing which then escalated”.

Mr Fehilly said “in many ways Mr McLean is guilty of winning the fight” and had the scrap gone the other way it could have seen Mr Walker in the dock instead of his client.

The brief added the dad-of-two has “significantly reduced his alcohol intake” since the offence.

He added: “He was simply drunk and got involved in this incredibly stupid incident.”

Sheriff Douglas Keir said: “I think it has been readily accepted this was just drunken nonsense that has no place anywhere these days.

“You have managed to avoid any further trouble since your [previous] convictions 14 years ago and that is to your credit.

“At the same time you must take care to avoid a repeat of the behaviour that happened that night.

“So I am going to draw a line under it today and that will be the end of it.”

Sheriff Keir ordered McLean to pay a fine of £800.

McLean pleaded guilty to a heavily amended charge of committing a breach of the peace whereby Mr Walker was injured at the Horsheshoe Tavern, Musselburgh, on August 11, 2019.

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