A DUNBAR man who knocked a man unconscious with one punch outside a pub in the town has been let off with a warning.

Ryan Watt assaulted Liam Brown by punching him in the face during the altercation outside the town’s Black Bull pub in December 2017.

Watt, of Fairbairn Way, was standing with friends having a cigarette when he was repeatedly approached by the intoxicated Brown at about 2am.

Watt told the drunk man to leave him alone but Brown continued to provoke him and eventually grabbed him by the collar.

It was at this point that Watt lashed out and punched Brown to the head.

Brown fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, resulting in him lying unconscious for about three minutes.

Police and an ambulance were called and last Friday Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that 29-year-old Watt was so concerned at what he had done he stayed with his victim until the authorities had arrived.

Officers at the scene said that Watt, a self-employed plasterer, had been “remorseful at this time” and had “expressed concern for his [Brown’s] condition”.

The court also heard that Brown was checked by paramedics and, apart from a small cut to the back of his head, he did not require further medical attention.

Watt’s solicitor said that his client had been “minding his own business” outside the pub when he was provoked by his victim.

The solicitor added that Watt was “thoroughly ashamed” about his behaviour that night and he knows “in hindsight he should have walked away” from the situation.

“He should have been the bigger man and walked away,” the solicitor said.

Sheriff Fiona Reith heard both men had been in contact with each other since the incident and there had been “apologies on both sides”.

Sheriff Reith said: “This is a most unusual situation. This is literally a case where there was provocation.

“I think it would be wrong to fine you – I don’t see the point of it.

“You know you shouldn’t have responded in this way. If this situation occurs again you should just walk away. I know it is easier said than done but you don’t want to end up in court again.”

Watt was admonished on the charge.

Watt admitted assaulting Liam Brown by punching him to the head to the loss of his consciousness at High Street, Dunbar, on December 24, 2017.