A MAN heading home from honouring the memory of a murdered childhood friend was so drunk he smashed another friend with a glass bottle on the train.

Raymond Kelly pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to the indictment of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement, and was warned he faced jail.

Sentence was deferred from a previous hearing.

The 27-year-old, of Cherrybank Road, Pollokshaws, had left with friends to Oban by train to visit the relative of Craig McCulloch, murdered on his 18th birthday in Glasgow in 2006 – an annual visit made on the anniversary of the tragedy.

But on May 2 last year, on a train journey between Ardlui and Helensburgh railway station, an incident took place in which Kelly’s friend was injured.

At the earlier hearing depute fiscal Sarah Healing, said: “A large amount of alcohol was consumed and emotions were raised.

“The journey was largely uneventful until the train left Ardlui train station.

“Mr Kelly stood up and struck the complainer with a glass bottle. There was a scuffle with others in the group.

“The conductor was alerted to the incident and contacted the police. They intercepted the train after 8pm at Helensburgh Upper station and spoke with the accused and summoned an ambulance for the complainer. He was taken to the RAH in Paisley.”

The victim had a three-inch wound, which was treated, and still has a scar but otherwise made a full recovery, said Ms Healing.

She added: “There was no explanation at all, other than alcohol and emotions were running high because of the anniversary.”

Last Tuesday, when Kelly returned to the dock for sentencing, his defence solicitor said: “I have explained to him that custody would be uppermost on the court’s mind.

“But Mr Kelly has shown proper remorse for what he did. There was an argument on the train and he lost his temper and struck his friend.

“He accepts that it (the attack) was something that came about during a set of circumstances that are unlikely to repeat themselves. He’s put his liberty at peril.”

Sheriff William Gallacher placed Kelly on a Community Payback Order, which requires him to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work in the community within the next 10 months.

Kelly will also be placed under supervision for the next 18 months.

In addition Kelly must pay his victim £1000 in compensation, which must be paid within the next 28 days.

Craig McCulloch was stabbed on April 30, 2006 as he walked along Cathcart Road, Glasgow, by a 16-year-old who was locked up for the unprovoked murder.