James Whitelaw, 26, admitted punching his victim at the local authority offices in Clydebank after he saw his own job had been advertised following a period of illness.

On Tuesday, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard Whitelaw had been off work sick, and saw that an ad had gone up to replace him while he was off. He went to the council headquarters to challenge the victim and was told he was to be laid off. Whitelaw, from Seedhill Road in Paisley, lost his temper and headbutted the man and punched him repeatedly. Solicitor for the defence Tom Brown assured the sheriff that this was ‘an isolated incident’ and Whitelaw had been having a series of health problems at the time.

Sheriff Hendry said: “Your behaviour is worrying, but more worringly that in hindsight that you don’t realise how bad your behaviour was. If you’re violent in future, you will be sent to prison.” Whitelaw was sentenced to a Community Payback Order of 80 hours over three months and to pay £300 to his victim in compensation.