A RENTON man has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community after he assaulted two other men at a Balloch nightclub.

Dylan Murray, 21, pleaded guilty to assaulting one man by punching him on the head, causing to him to fall to the ground and strike his head, in the incident on April 1.

Murray also admitted assaulting a second man by punching him on the head on the same night at The Back Room on Balloch Road.

Murray, of Cordale Avenue, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for sentencing on Friday.

The court heard that at around 2.30am both victims and Murray were in the club. One of the victims bumped into a woman, knocking her drink.

Nothing happened at that time, but as the victims left the nightclub later, Murray approached one of them asking to speak.

Murray punched him in the face and he fell, striking his head on the ground.

The second victim went to help and Murray punched him on the head too, causing him to fall. Others attended to separate them.

Murray left the vicinity and made his way to a nearby taxi rank, but police attended quickly and arrested Murray after being made aware of his whereabouts.

He was taken to Clydebank police station but was not cautioned and charged.

Murray’s defence solicitor, Brian McGuire, told Friday’s hearing: “He is 21 years of age. He has a supportive family, good academic results and a very good job.

“He works long hours five days a week and there has been nothing since this incident. Words were exchanged and it got out of hand.”

Sheriff John Hamilton ordered Murray to complete 210 hours of unpaid work in the community within eight months - a sentence reduced from one of 280 hours because of Murray’s guilty pleas.

Sheriff Hamilton told Murray: “These hours are close to the maximum, which indicates how close you were to a different disposal.”

Murray was also placed under supervision for 12 months as a direct alternative to custody.