Alness boxer jailed for pub attack

A PROFESSIONAL Easter Ross boxer who punched a couple in the Smith and Jones bar in Inverness was jailed for five months at Inverness Sheriff Court.

On Thursday, Sheriff Jamie Gilmour heard Scott Ross (26) of Braeface, Alness assaulted Carla Kelly and her husband Steven Kelly by punching them both on the head on September 6 last year and being in possession of cocaine — a Class A drug.

Depute fiscal David Bernard said Mr and Mrs Kelly were in the bar when Ross appeared to engage in an argument with a friend of Mrs Kelly who told him to move away.

But Ross punched her and when Mr Kelly intervened he punched him also.

Mr Bernard said 1.75grammes of cocaine was found on Ross when he was searched by police.

The drug had a street value of £35.

Graham Mann, solicitor, told the court Kelly had recently turned professional as a boxer.

"Neither of these complainers received injury which suggests it was inadvertent and unfortunate."

But he added Ross didn’t shy away from his record of offences.

The solicitor said there was a fight between one group and some soldiers and a number of people became involved.

Ross, he said, had a young son and holding down a regular job although there appeared to be some issues with drugs.

Sheriff Gilmour noted Ross had ten previous convictions for assault and jailed him for five months.