A DRUNKEN mourner was fined after beating a British Legion official to the ground at a funeral wake.

Robin Stewart, 53, punched the local Legion chairman in the face and tried to kick him during the drink-fuelled incident at the organisation's social club in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire.

Falkirk Sheriff Court was told Stewart and his partner had been attending the wake, in the main hall of the club, when the incident occurred on July 16 last year.

Prosecutor Kristina Kelly said: "Later in the evening the accused and his partner were asked to leave the club.

"Stewart's partner disputed this and Stewart became involved and began shouting abuse at the bar staff."

The club chairman, who was there in a social capacity, attempted to calm Stewart down.

However, the accused responded by shouting: "I'm not leaving. I'll leave when I want to leave. I'll fight any one of you. I'm staying till I finish my drink."

Ms Kelly said Stewart was then "escorted out of the premises" by the complainer and the club's 64-year-old vice-chairman, who told Stewart that he and his partner were barred for life.

The accused then responded by saying 'am I f***' and assaulted the chairman.

The fiscal depute continued: "He then punched [the complainer] to the face, which caused him to fall to the floor, and thereafter continued to strike him by punching him to the side of the head and body and attempted to kick him on the body."

The vice-chairman "managed to pull the accused off" the chairman and eject him before the police were then contacted.

Ms Kelly said the complainer suffered a laceration to his nose, and a small cut the left-hand side of his head but did not need medical treatment.

Stewart, of Menstrie, pleaded guilty to assault to injury and using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Solicitor Frazer McCready, defending, said "a lot of refreshment was being taken" at the wake.

He said Stewart had "a very limited record" and no other outstanding cases.

He added: "It's fair to say that a lot of drinks were consumed and his judgement was impaired.

"He was in a group of four – two males and two female partners – and he went to the bar to purchase drinks for his group of friends.

"The bar steward indicated that Mr Stewart's partner would not be served alcohol, and he didn't challenge that but returned to the table.

"His partner was unhappy about that, took herself to the bar to challenge that decision, and it all kicked off after that.

"He accepts he was the one involved. He accepts that he assaulted [the complainer], and he is remorseful."

Sheriff Derek Livingston fined Stewart £900, and ordered him to pay £500 compensation to the chairman.

He told him: "I find your behaviour highly unimpressive.

"Were it not for the fact that you've got a very limited record I'd undoubtedly be looking at imposing custody."