Sheriff gives teenage thug final chance

A TEENAGER who kicked a man when he was down was given a last chance to become a law-abiding citizen.

Livingston Sheriff Court was told that Michael McCarthy, 19, had completely abstained from alcohol after realising during a spell in detention that drink fuelled his offences.

He was put on probation for two years yesterday and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community as an alternative to prison.

He was also ordered to pay 500 compensation to the man he attacked.

McCarthy, of Marina Road, Bathgate, had pleaded guilty on indictment to the assault charge at an earlier hearing.

He admitted repeatedly kicking Christopher Black, 25, on the head and body in Livery Street, Bathgate, in August 2009.

Depute fiscal Graham Fraser said the attack had happened in the early hours of a Saturday morning outside a nightclub.

McCarthy had intervened in fight between his friend and the victim, who had been at school together.

While Mr Black was already on the ground, McCarthy kicked him twice on the head and twice on the body.