A Fort William woman was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work after a homophobic attack in the town.
Sarah Ferguson, 34, was found guilty after trial of shouting derogatory remarks at a gay couple during a night out.
Fort William Sheriff Court heard how she punched Glasgow student Ross Alexander, 21, on the head and punched and kicked his partner, local hairdresser James Tomlin, 22, giving him a black and bleeding eye.
Ferguson appeared for sentence yesterday after being found guilty a month ago of assaulting the two men on the High Street last December 6 and shouting homophobic abuse at them.
Defence lawyer Steven Kennedy handed up publicity items to Sheriff Bill Taylor and told how, because of the publicity, his client had to flee to London for several days to escape the embarrassment and humiliation surrounding her court appearance.
The sheriff said: ‘I am afraid that when people do wrong and commit crimes,get found out,then appear in court they inevitably face the embarrassment of their own actions.
‘That’s life. That’s what happens. It’s quite clear what your client’s involvement was in the night’s activities.’
The defence lawyer added: “She is a first offender and I would be very surprised if she ever appears in court again.’
Sheriff Taylor imposed 100 hours community service on Ferguson, of Angus Crescent.
