Glass attack thug avoids prison

A THUG who glassed a man after they argued has avoided being sent to prison.

Michael Reilly, 24, smashed a tumbler in David Woods face in Bread Street, in April 2011, the city’s sheriff court heard last month.

But appearing for sentence today, Reilly avoided being sent to jail and was instead handed 300 hours community service by Sheriff Stephen Arthurson QC.

He was also ordered to attend alcohol counselling and ordered to pay £1,500 compensation to his victim.

Depute fiscal Ian Wallace said Reilly, of Livingston, had approached and started to pester female friends of Mr Woods outside a chip shop.

When Mr Woods told Reilly to stop it, the hooligan smashed a pint glass over his face causing him to suffer cuts to his face and a broken nose.

Reilly pleaded guilty to a serious assault charge before Sheriff Arthurson at a hearing last month - sentence had been deferred for today for the court to obtain reports.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Arthurson said: “I am persuaded in the circumstances that a non custodial disposal is appropriate.”