Baton thug hit man as he left court

A MAN who repeatedly hit his victim on the head with a baton as he left a court building has escaped jail, and was instead sent to anger management classes and ordered to carry out 170 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Craig Moore, 25, admitted carrying out the attack on Michael Martin, the uncle of his baby daughter, outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court at Chambers Street on 5 November last year.

The court was told there had been ongoing difficulties between the families after a relationship between Mr Martin's sister and Moore had broken up while she was expecting his child.

Sheriff Frank Crowe blasted Moore's actions and told him he had used the court in a "deliberate attack" and as a means of setting upon his victim.

Sheriff Crowe also placed Moore, of Lingerwood Farm Cottages, Dalkeith, on probation for a year with a condition he attends anger management classes.

Mr Martin was removed from court by police yesterday for talking and clapping.