A COUNTY man who punched a teenager in the face at Dunbar’s McDonald’s restaurant is facing a jail term.

Lee Rutherford, described as a prisoner of Edinburgh Prison, launched the assault on the 14-year-old victim during an incident outside the fast food outlet.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Rutherford was part of a group causing a large-scale disturbance outside the premises and, during the ensuing incident, he was seen to repeatedly punch the boy in the face.

The teenage boy suffered serious injuries and has been forced to have metal plates and screws inserted to help his facial injuries heal properly.

McDonald’s manager Mairi Allan attempted to intervene in the fighting but she too was punched to the head by thug Rutherford, who had claimed he had not intended to strike the woman.

The 25-year-old soon left the scene but CCTV footage of the incident was viewed by police and Rutherford was identified by local officers.

Rutherford admitted assaulting the boy and Ms Allan at Spott Road, Dunbar, on September 24 last year when he appeared at the Capital court on Tuesday.

Co-accused Daryl Kitt, of James Court, Dunbar, had a not guilty plea accepted by the Crown.

Defence solicitor Paul Smith said that his client had been in custody over the incident since January and the incident had occurred after the co-accused “had become involved in the altercation”.

Sheriff Norman McFadyen deferred sentence for reports and a risk assessment to April 4 and remanded Rutherford in custody.

Sheriff McFadyen added: “I will, of course, be sending you to jail.”