Mark Docherty and Rory McNicol, both aged 21, assaulted the complainer after guiding the driver to a quiet lane in the town following a night out in Glasgow city centre.

Docherty, of Round Riding Road, and McNicol, of Miller Street, previously pleaded guilty to assaulting the man, seizing hold of him by the body and repeatedly demanding money. They also admitted struggling with him and robbing him of a set of car keys during the incident on Castlegreen Street on February 22 this year.

The pair appeared for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week.

Julie O’Hara, fiscal depute, told the court the incident began at around 4.30am. The victim had arranged to pick up friends in Glasgow but they did not show up.

Ms O’Hara said: “While he was sitting stationary in his vehicle, he was approached by three males, who had been on a night out in Glasgow.

“The males asked to be taken to Dumbarton, with no specific address, and agreed on a price of £45 which was paid upfront.

“The three men entered the vehicle with [a witness] in the front passenger seat, Mark Docherty sitting in the rear offside seat behind the driver and Rory McNicol sitting on the rear, near-side seat.” As the journey progressed through Scotstoun and on the A82 towards Dumbarton, the witness sitting in the front seat received a text message from Docherty which told them to rob the driver.

Ms O’Hara continued: “He thought they meant they were going to run away and replied asking how they were going to do that when they had already paid the fare.

“[The witness] realised the accused actually meant they were going to rob the driver and said he did not want to take any part in the incident then replied along the lines of ‘no, don’t do it’.” As he approached the traffic lights at Milton, the driver was advised to turn left on to Glasgow Road. At the Castlegreen Street junction, he was told to turn left, passing the fire station and going under a railway bridge.

Ms O’Hara said: “At this point, [the driver] became worried as he could not see any flats or houses in the area and he was instructed to drive down to a dead end at the bottom of a lane.

“With the vehicle stationary, the accused McNicol reached over the front seat and placed his right arm around [the complainer’s] neck, placing him in a head lock position and pulling his head down towards the handbrake area.

“He began shouting phrases like ‘give me the money’ repeatedly.” The court heard the passenger sitting in the front seat wanted no part in the incident and got out of the car.

Docherty also got out of the car and opened the driver’s door, when a struggle ensued.

The fiscal said: “[The driver] was begging the accused to stop then he reached inside the pocket of his jacket and removed £50 in mixed notes and handed the money to the accused Docherty, who told the accused McNicol that he had the money, and McNicol got out of the vehicle.” Docherty took the car keys from the ignition and the three men started to run away.

The driver shouted for his car keys and Docherty returned, handing them to him along with some coins.

After the men fled, the driver searched his car and found a black wallet with cards and a driving licence belong to Docherty. He made his way to Clydebank Police Station and reported the matter.

Officers traced Docherty and McNicol, also recovering £20 of the money which had been taken.

Mr Sweeney, defending Docherty, said his client had consumed a lot of alcohol on the night in question, adding that it was no excuse for his behaviour.

The lawyer said: “The best that can be said about Mr Docherty is that he pleaded guilty.

“It was a moment of madness on his part and completely out of character.

“He realises the very serious position that he has placed himself in at court. It was a complete lack of self control.” Kenny Clark, defending McNicol, said: “This was a repulsive, stupid, and drink-fuelled act.

“All too often, solicitors stand up and say this is out of character for their clients by this is genuinely out of character for him.

“Not only have his family and friends been shocked, he himself was shocked when he woke up in sobriety and realised what had happened.” Explaining that McNicol had been sacked as a result of his involvement in the incident, Mr Clark said his client would suffer the consequences of the conviction ‘for some considerable time to come’.

Sheriff Simon Pender told the pair the matter was a serious one in which a prison sentence had been in the court’s mind, adding that he had been persuaded an alternative to custody was available by a ‘narrow margin’.

Both men were ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within a year and placed under supervision for two years. They must also remain within their homes between 8pm and 8am each night.