Loyalist official beat fellow member with ceremonial mallet at Orange lodge meeting

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A loyalist group official who beat a fellow member with a ceremonial mallet over a “breach of protocol” has been spared a jail term.

William Fairley, 67, described by his lawyer as a “chief marshal”, struck Cameron Gillespie, 57, in the face with the wooden gavel at the Redding and Westquarter Unity Club, Falkirk, the town's sheriff court heard.Prosecutor Eilidh Smith told the court Mr Gillespie had gone to the club – a venue for groups including the Redding and Westquarter Protestant Boys Flute Band and a branch of the Apprentice Boys of Derry -- to attend “a lodge meeting”.

Fairley, described as having a considerable record for violence, saw him, and challenged him to a fight – an offer which Mr Gillespie refused.Ms Smith said: “Apparently they were then queuing to sign in when Mr Fairley pushed in front of Mr Gillespie and picked up a small wooden mallet which had been on the desk and swung around and struck Mr Gillespie on the left side of his face.”Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

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