A COUNCIL worker who left a colleague permanently disfigured when he battered him on the head with a golf club has been spared prison.

Kenneth Brown lost his job with West Dunbartonshire Council as a result of the assault, a court hearing was told.

Brown, 52, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday for sentencing after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to assaulting his victim to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The incident happened on a footpath on the Redburn estate in Bonhill on February 1.

Prosecutor Claire Nicholls said: “Brown and the complainer were part of a WDC team who were laying turf in the area.

“During the course of their work Brown was mocking [the complainer] and after lunch [the complainer] decided he was leaving. An argument ensued.

“Brown followed him, and hit him over the head with a golf club. He struck him on the forehead, causing him to fall to the ground.

“He was taken to Vale of Leven Hospital where he received four stitches which will cause permanent scarring.”

Brown’s lawyers placed two testimonials from employers in front of Sheriff William Gallacher.

Brown’s lawyer told the court: “He had worked for 10 years with WDC and had worked with [the complainer] in the past.

“On this day my client felt [the complainer] wasn’t pulling his weight.

“Words were exchanged and [the complainer] said he was going to leave and go to the works van.

“This gave rise to the confrontation. It was five seconds he will forever deeply regret.

“He lost his job as a consequence and he is now working in the building trade. This was a one-off incident.”

Brown, of Craigard, Arrochar, was given a community payback order, which included 160 hours of unpaid work and social work supervision until March.

He must also pay his victim £400 in compensation.