Michael Collins, 22, scuffled with his neighbour Aaron McBride, 24, after approaching him outside Stocks Tavern on the High Street on the night of September 24 2023. Collins had visited the pub with his friend Nicholas Hunter, 22, while McBride was accompanied by members of Earlestown Athletic JFC, including Benjamin Crowe, 25, and Russel Ward, 21.
"At one point both Collins and McBride are fighting on the floor. Other defendants and unknown males are present - some, including Hunter and Crowe, apparently trying to break matters up, while some joining in the violence. The two fall into the road, almost in front of a passing car." Mr McInnes said: "After a brief lull the fighting resumes... It appears Collins falls heavily and is kicked by at least one male and further blows from McBride can be seen. Diane Mason, the pub landlord, recalls seeing McBride kicking and stamping on Collins while he was apparently unconscious."Kyra Badman, defending Collins, a civil engineer with no previous convictions, said: "He threw the first punch, but probably came off the worst in this very unfortunate incident.
Ken Heckle, defending McBride, who also has no previous convictions, said: "This defendant places no blame on anyone but himself. He's had difficulty coming to terms with it all, but there was not only a guilty plea, but admissions of his guilt in interview. Sadly this defendant did kick and was seen stamping on Collins. It's only fortunate that he did not receive any significant injuries. It got tot he stage where the violence was really quite severe.