Brother of ex-Scots footballer leaves man badly hurt with punch
Martin Hetherston - a trained boxer - set upon Charles Houston in the Joker Bar in Bellshill, Lanarkshire on July 2 2022.
The victim was knocked unconscious by the 57 year-old with him left suffering a potentially fatal brain injury and a fractured jaw.
First-offender Hetherston - described by his lawyer as effectively a pillar of his local community for his 40 years involved in boxing and coaching of the sport - was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
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He had last month been joined in the dock by 60 year-old brother Peter Hetherston - the ex-Aberdeen and Raith Rovers midfielder - as well as 31 year-old Lauren McGowan.
They had all faced a charge of attempting to murder Mr Houston.
But, the ex-footballer and Miss McGowan walked free after Hetherston pleaded guilty to assaulting the man to his severe injury, permanent impairment and disfigurement as well as to the danger of his life.
Lord Colbeck locked him for three years and seven months.
The court heard how Mr Houston and friend Ian Mitchell went to the bar to sell cigarettes and a dash cam.
The men spoke to a member of staff who said that they knew someone who would be interested in purchasing them.
Mr Houston and Mr Mitchell were directed to the beer garden and were soon joined by Hetherston and another man.
Prosecutor Liam Ewing KC said: "Hetherston immediately punched Mr Houston once on the head causing him to fall to the ground.
"He then punched Mr Mitchell on the head before he was pulled away by the other man.
"This other individual then punched Mr Mitchell on the head."
The associate stated to Mr Mitchell as the pair fled the scene: "If you open your mouth, you will get worse."
The hearing was told Mr Houston was initially unconscious for seven minutes.
He came to and managed to walk away from the pub, but was found stricken again by paramedics outside a nearby property.
Mr Houston was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a cut to his head, a fractured jaw as well as a blood clot between the skull and surface of the brain.
This then involved surgery as well as plates and screws fitted to repair the damage to his jaw.
Mr Ewing added: "The blood clot and swelling to his brain were life threatening and if he did not have the operation he would have died."
It was stated that Mr Houston suffers from epileptic fits since the incident and struggles with fatigue.
Hetherston, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, also admitted in court to assaulting Mr Mitchell.
His lawyer said Hetherston had been involved in boxing since he was 18 with it being a "philosophy" for his "lifestyle, fitness, health and discipline".
Graham Roberston, defending, added: "I stress discipline which is tragic in the circumstances."
The court heard a total of 21 testimonials had been given to Lord Colbeck to read.
Mr Robertson: "In the cross sections of references, there is a tremendous groundswell for Mr Hetherston from clergy members, business personnel, people who have known him for decades.
"He presents as a man who is a very positive role model for many people."
Sentencing, the judge stated Mr Houston and his friend appeared to have been "lured" to the beer garden in what seemed a "pre-planned confrontation".
Lord Colbeck: "It is clear, however impulsive your behaviour may have been, you failed in the most terrible way to live up to the standards, I am told, you attempted to instil in others.
"This is not a case of an ordinary man spontaneously throwing a punch.
"It is one of a man with years of training punching an unsuspecting victim."
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