Drunk Lanarkshire thug who hospitalised gran in bar brawl avoids jail

A worker who attacked a female colleague in an East Kilbride pub after a funeral has avoided jail.

Grant Rankin was instead ordered to pay his victim £1200 compensation.

He kicked gran Elizabeth Richardson repeatedly on the head as she lay helpless on the floor of Greenhills Bar.

She had become caught up in fighting between DHL Sainsbury's work colleagues.

Shocking CCTV footage of the "melee" was shown at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Rankin, 27, of North Berwick Crescent, East Kilbride, admitted assaulting Elizabeth at the pub on April 29, 2019.

His dad, Alexander, 55, of Lomond, East Kilbride, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour by shouting, swearing, engaging in a fight and acting aggressively.

The Crown accepted that Alexander Rankin acted under provocation.

A third accused, Kyle Rankin, 25, also of Lomond, had his not guilty plea to the charge of threatening or abusive behaviour accepted.

Those involved had attended the funeral of a work colleague.

Mourners went on to the pub and trouble broke out there after 9pm.

Rebecca Clark, prosecuting, told the court: "What were described as simmering tensions escalated.

"There was pushing, shoving, shouting and swearing. One male lifted a chair.

"In the course of this melee Elizabeth Richardson, who was not part of the fight, was caught up in it and was knocked to the ground.

"I don't believe Grant Rankin was trying to kick her in particular, but she was kicked repeatedly on the head while on the ground and was knocked unconscious.

"She was on the floor for a period of time. She was then taken to hospital and underwent a CT scan.

"She sustained bruising and doesn't remember much about the incident.

"Grant Rankin sent a message to her almost immediately. He apologised, saying 'Are you ok? It was me who kicked you, but it was by accident. I feel sick about it.'

"The entire incident was captured on CCTV and those involved were identified."

Neither Grant Rankin nor his dad has previous convictions, the court heard.

Sheriff Ross Macfarlane had adjourned the case for criminal justice social work reports and sentenced the men today (Thursday).

Dad of one Grant Rankin was ordered to pay the compensation at £100 per month.

The sheriff stressed it was a direct alternative to a prison sentence.

Alexander Rankin was fined £600 for his part in the fracas. He agreed to pay within 28 days.

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