A MAN who repeatedly kicked his partner’s brother in the head after dragging him to the ground avoided jail after the violent row.

Prestwick man Daniel McCreadie, 33, pleaded guilty to the charge of assault to injury after the incident on a public footpath in Errif Road, Bellsbank on July 19 this year.

Procurator Fiscal depute Chris Munro said: “The accused was previously in a relationship with the witness, who is the sister of the complainer.

“The accused attended the home address asking for property to be returned to him.

“At 9.30pm the accused entered his brother in law’s motor vehicle parked outside with him approaching shouting towards the accused.

“The accused then dragged him on the ground and repeatedly kicked him on the head on five separate occasions.

“The witness observed the accused her brother bleeding on the ground and unresponsive. Police and ambulance attended.”

Defence solicitor Peter Lockhart said: “They were having a BBQ. There was a row and he decided quite rightly it was right to leave. He then realised he didn’t have keys for his property.

“He appeared at the vehicle shouting and believed he [the complainer] was going to assault him. He accepts this was a mistaken way to react.”

Sheriff Siobhan Connelly said: “If you kick anyone on the ground to the head it risks significant injury or possible fatality. That is entirely unacceptable behaviour.”

McCreadie, of Rowan House, Prestwick, was sentenced to a community payback order. He will also be tagged and have to remain in the house from 7pm to 7am for four months.