A ROOFER who broke his cousin’s jaw in five places amid claims the victim had hurled insults about his wife has dodged prison.

Ian Burke, of East Fulton, Linwood, attacked Lee McGregor after tempers flared between the pair at the Kelburn Bar, in Cross Arthurlie Street, Barrhead.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard 31-year-old Burke was playing in a darts match at the pub when Mr McGregor, who was said to be under the influence of alcohol, turned up and started mouthing off.

After heading outside, Burke hit Mr McGregor with a bottle, before kicking him repeatedly on his head in what was described as a frenzied attack.

The force of the blows was so severe that it caused Mr McGregor to fall unconscious.

A short time later, however, he was able to get back to his feet and return to the door of the pub. He then decided to leave the scene.

It was stated that Mr McGregor suffered a broken jaw, with medics having to insert a metal plate in his face to rebuild it.

He has been left suffering a loss of sensation in his mouth and lips, leading to speech problems.

At a pre-trial hearing in January, Burke pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr McGregor by striking him on the head with a bottle, causing him to fall to the ground, and repeatedly kicking him on the head.

He also admitted that the attack, which took place on June 27, 2016, left Mr McGregor severely injured, scarred for life and permanently impaired.

Sheriff James Spy called for background reports ahead of sentencing and warned Burke that he could be jailed due to the severity of the offence.

However, when Burke returned to the dock last week to learn his fate, the sheriff opted to allow him to remain a free man, instead placing him on a Community Payback Order as a direct alternative to custody.

He ordered Burke to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work – the maximum number available – within the next year.