Attacker locked up after assaulting good samaritan

A MAN who assaulted a good Samaritan who was helping his victim was today sentenced to 16 months in custody.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard Yargo Kirkopoulos, 20, and three other unidentified men started kicking the doors and grabbing the door handles of a car which was driving along the city's Cables Wynd.

The brother and sister aged 25 and 27, who were in the car, drove off but David Brown, 57, who saw the attack went to try to help them.

Fiscal depute Melanie Ward said: "The car had driven away and that left the four men within the street. Mr Brown approached the group in an attempt to talk to them and the accused approached him and punched him on the head and body and the other men also struck him on his head and body."

Ms Ward said Mr Brown walked away and made no attempt to retaliate but was followed and attacked again and fell to the ground. The court heard the men all ran away before police and the ambulance service arrived.

Ms Ward added that Mr Brown had to be treated for a broken nose.

Sheriff Kenneth Maciver asked what was behind the attack and Ms Ward said there was no explanation.

Kirkopoulos, of Edinburgh Prison, admitted pled guilty to the incident which happened on November 30 last year.

Sheriff Maciver said: "It is a very serious matter when a citizen acting properly in defence of others is attacked. Custody cannot be avoided."