Graham Saunders was celebrating the return of his son from duty in Afghanistan at a local bowling club in January, before moving on for a night cap at the Riverbank Bar on West Clyde Street.

But, having already been served his drink, Saunders was then asked to leave the bar because he was too drunk.

The 56-year-old was irate at being allowed to enter the bar and be served, but not allowed to enjoy his drink.

This led to behaviour ‘totally and utterly’ out of character from the Townhead Road man.

Prosecuting, Malcolm McLeod told Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week how Saunders was to be removed from the bar for being ‘the worse for drink and acting aggressively’.

Mr McLeod added: “The steward put his arm over the accused’s shoulder to move him towards the exit. At that point he indicated he didn’t really want to go and once he was outside the pub, he stepped back towards the entrance and had a clenched fist.

“He took a short run up and kicked the complainer on the leg, grazing it.

“A woman in the street tried to calm him down, but he then ran at complainer again – that was the extent of the matter.” Court also heard how Saunders made a ‘sectarian remark’ towards the door steward.

Defending, Bert Thomson told the court Saunders and his son were celebrating the fact the latter had returned from Afghanistan ‘in one piece’.

Describing him as a ‘net contributor’ to society, Mr Thomson said his client was ‘far too long in the tooth’ to be getting into public disorder offences.

He added: “The same member of staff that let them in the pub and let them have a pint, then took it off him as he tried to drink it, saying he was too drunk.

“He asked why was allowed to buy it in the first place and that’s when the disagreement started.” Saunders had previously admitted assaulting the door steward and acting in a threatening and abusive manner, aggravated by religious prejudice.

Mr Thomson said his client ‘blurted out’ a comment ‘in drink’ that he ‘very much regretted’.

He added: “He’s learned a hard lesson because of this, but there is no risk of him re-offending.” Sentencing, Sheriff Simon Fraser fined the first-time offender a total of £557, but said he took a dim view of his assault.

Sheriff Fraser said: “Door stewards shouldn’t expect to be kicked when trying to keep order.”