Smashed on the head with brick in Coylton

May 14 2008 By Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post

AN innocent man had his skull smashed with a brick when a night out with pals ended in horror.

James Maitland had to undergo major surgery and has been left with permanent injury after the brutal assault in February this year.

Gordon McKinlay, 19, appeared in court to plead guilty to the attack on the same day his victim celebrated his 38th birthday.

Mr Maitland had been waiting to tell police about an incident he witnessed in a country pub when McKinlay started lobbing bricks at him.

The third brick smacked Mr Maitland on the side of his head and he instantly fell to the ground.

McKinlay stood in the dock at Ayr Sheriff Court this week and admitted the attack in Coylton’s Carbieston Avenue, near to the Coylton Arms pub.

Depute Fiscal Chris Donnelly told the court that it was late on a Friday night and Mr Maitland was in the pub having a drink with some friends.

A dispute kicked off elsewhere in the bar which resulted in McKinlay being asked to leave.

Mr Maitland and others followed the thug out to speak to him and to wait for police, who were on route.

Mr Donnelly continued: “The complainer made his way toward the accused as he seemed to pick something up which looked like part of a brick.

“He was about three or four metres away when he threw the brick, which missed.

“Others tried to calm him down and Mr Maitland backed away. He threw another brick, then another which struck Mr Maitland’s head.

“He was unconscious before he hit the ground.”

Mr Maitland was rushed to Ayr Hospital with an open wound to the left side of his head and fractured skull.

He was quickly transferred to the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow where he had to undergo surgery to remove a fragment of bone from his head.

Mr Donnelly continued: “He has made a recovery, but not a full one.

“I understand he has weakness to his right arm. It’s expected there will be improvement in time but medical experts are unable to predict how long. The likelihood is that the weakness will persist.”

Sentence was deferred on McKinlay, of Coylton’s Arthurston Terrace, until later this month.

His defence lawyer Peter Lockhart made no motion for bail and he was remanded in custody.