A PANTOMIME performer punched his boyfriend in a row in their Ayr hotel room after a festive show at the Gaiety Theatre. 

Danny Murphy pleaded guilty to assaulting the man to his injury after the pair argued on returning from a night out.

Ayr Sheriff Court was told police were called to the Travelodge on Highfield Drivein the early hours of December 1 last year after a witness heard shouting and screams of “help” from a nearby room.

The court heard 34-year-old Murphy was in bed, under the covers, when the complainer pulled the covers off.

The procurator fiscal depute said: “On December 1, 2023 the witness and the accused were guests at the Travelodge. 

“At 4am, the witness was coming back from a night out. They had an argument with the accused and the parties left separately, returning [to the hotel] alone.  

“The accused returned to the locus and both became argumentative. A witness heard shouting and screams of ‘help’.

“Guests and staff attended and pressed the alert button, contacting police.

"The accused answered the door, drunk, while the witness was observed on the bed screaming “leave”.  

“Police attended the locus and observed the witness had a bloody nose. He stated the accused had punched him in the face. 

“At Kilmarnock police station the accused was cautioned and charged and indicated he understood the charge.

“He said ‘I don’t think that’s right, but fair enough’.” 

Murphy’s solicitor, Katherine Grant said: “At the time of the offence he was a performer in the pantomime at the Gaiety, and is currently employed in customer service. 

“He had previously been on a night out with other performers and stayed out longer than his partner.  

“They began arguing. He [the victim] pulled the covers off Mr Murphy, and his response was to punch him in the face. It was completely unjustified. 

“They are no longer in a relationship but they remain friends.” 

Sheriff Susan Turner said she would place Murphy on a community payback order with supervision for 18 months

Murphy, of South Commonhead Avenue, Airdrie, will also take part in the Up To You domestic abuse programme during this time.