Man claimed he hit male with baseball bat after being told to 'go back to Ireland'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A man claimed he lashed out with a baseball bat after being told to "go back to Ireland".Mark Murphy grabbed the weapon from another man and hit him, causing serious injury.Murphy, 49, of Lomond in East Kilbride, narrowly avoided a prison sentence at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android He admitted assaulting the man with the bat in Alderstocks, East Kilbride, on September 18, 2022.The court heard that the victim now walks with a limp, having suffered permanent impairment.However, the Crown accepted Murphy's claim that he acted under provocation.The court heard that the victim was holding the baseball bat but Murphy disarmed him before striking him with it.Defence solicitor Ian Scott said: "The circumstances that led to this included the other man shouting, swearing and telling my client to go back to Ireland."He had, in fact, been resident in Northern Ireland."Other than this incident, Mr Murphy seems to be a law-abiding man.

He expresses regret."Professional opinion in the criminal justice social work report is that he is at a low risk of re-offending."Sheriff Michael Higgins said it was a serious charge but he was prepared in the circumstances to "step back from imposing custody".Murphy was placed under social work supervision for six months and must carry out 180