Ayr pensioner punched by pal

Nov 7 2008 by Lisa Boyle

A PENSIONER was punched in the face in his local bookies.

Alex Crow, 71, got into a row with an acquaintance and ended up getting smacked in the face.

This week at Ayr Sheriff Court, Robert Clark, 61, admitted the assault in Coral bookmakers in the town’s Main Street.

Depute fiscal Hayley Robertson told Sheriff Montgomery that the assault took place on September 4 this year.

The men were arguing over money and Clark, of Ayr’s Duke Terrace, punched Mr Crow on the left side of the face.

Sheriff Montgomery earlier raised the issue of a banning order but when defence lawyer Peter Lockhart produced a letter from the bookies’ manageress saying that he was welcome back, Sheriff Montgomery said: “He’s obviously a good customer.”

Mr Lockhart went on to tell the court that Mr Crow and Clark have known each other for years.

He continued: “The victim frequently borrowed money from Clark and more often than not he never repaid it.

“On this occasion he had borrowed £20 from Clark’s partner. What angered him was that not only did he refuse to return it but he was abusive about Clark’s girlfriend.”

Sheriff Montgomery noted that Clark has previously been in prison for a racial breach of the peace but said that he was prepared in this instance to fine him.

Clark was fined £300.