Banter with football supporters in a Selkirk pub resulted in Murray McDairmid assaulting a man.
McDairmid struck the 29-year-old on the face and he sustained three cuts around his eye.
The 30-year-old accused, of Fairfield Crescent, Selkirk, admitted assaulting a man to his injury and permanent disfigurement at Angus O’Malley’s sports bar on April 27.
Prosecuting at Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, on Monday, Graham Fraser told how the victim had been out with friends when McDairmid punched him, causing him to stumble back.
Mr Fraser went on: “He bent over double holding his face, and it was clear he had injuries.He suffered three cuts from the blow, around his left eye, which required sutures, glue and steri-strips. Four months later, he still had marks around his eye.”
The prosecutor went on: “Police were mystified why one punch had caused this, but the accused was wearing a large gold ring.”
Defence solicitor Peter Robertson said all three cuts were less than 1cm.
He told the hearing that football supporters had arrived at the bar and had been quite boisterous.
The lawyer added: “There was horseplay and, after a disagreement, he struck the man on the face.”
Mr Robertson said his client also suffered bruising when others took hold of him after the attack.
“He is very remorseful,” he added.
McDairmid was fined £200.