A FORMER Helensburgh man has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community for his part in a brutal attack outside a town centre bar nearly two years ago.

Callum Gamble, formerly of William Street but now residing in Edinburgh, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on January 28, alongside Stephen Diamond in the dock.

The pair had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to assaulting a man in West Clyde Street on July 12, 2018.

The court heard that 34-year-old Diamond, who lives in Langlands Terrace, Dumbarton, became involved in an argument with a man outside a licensed premises and proceeded to punch and kick the victim before pushing him to the floor.

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Gamble, 22, who had also been drinking with friends in the pub, then came out towards the disturbance and kicked the victim to the face while the man was on the ground.

Police attended the scene and observed the complainer to have blood coming from his nose; he was taken away in an ambulance while Gamble was arrested.

A review of CCTV footage helped police identify the accused.

Last week’s hearing was told that Gamble is now working in Edinburgh as a waiter.

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His defence solicitor said: “He has expressed a great deal of regret and embarrassment.

“On the evening in question his judgement was impaired somewhat by alcohol.

“He has since moved to Edinburgh to remove himself from the group of peers he was socialising with at the time.”

Addressing Gamble, Sheriff William Gallacher said: “You were in no position to get involved in the way you did.

“To attack somebody in the way you did is completely despicable.”

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Gamble received a community payback order of 110 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within six months as a direct alternative to custody.

He will also be supervised by social workers for one year.

Sentence on Diamond – who, the court was told, has a string of previous convictions for violence, including domestic assault – was deferred until March.

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