A grandfather who attacked his ex-wife's new partner at a family christening has avoided jail. Peter McGuinness, 60, was celebrating the occasion when he clashed with Robert Allison at the Bully Inn pub in Quarter, Lanarkshire, in May 2025.
Altercation at the Pub
The atmosphere soured after McGuinness's daughter Romany, 34, argued with Mr Allison over who was paying for a drink at the bar. McGuinness then repeatedly punched Mr Allison on the head and body, causing an injury to his left cheek. Staff ordered the party to leave, but trouble continued outside involving McGuinness, his brother Kevin, Romany, Mr Allison, his son Euan, and others.
Outside the Pub
Euan Allison tried to pull McGuinness away from his father, but Kevin McGuinness and others approached and punched him on the head. He fell to the ground and suffered a broken ankle after another individual stamped on his foot. Police were called, ending the melee.
Court Sentencing
McGuinness, of Strathaven, and his brother Kevin, of Hamilton, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted assault. Sheriff Liam Murphy sentenced them to 200 hours of unpaid work each and banned them from contacting Mr Allison for two years.
Depute fiscal Lewis Devoy stated: "All of the accused and the complainers identified were at the locus where a party was being held to celebrate a joint christening and communion for the children of the former accused Romany McGuinness. Across the afternoon everyone had been in good spirits and enjoying themselves but around 7pm there had been an argument between Romany McGuinness and Robert Allison over who was paying for a drink. Peter McGuinness became aware of the argument and approached Mr Allison and repeatedly punched him on the head and body. Due to this disturbance all parties were told to leave the pub by staff and once outside a fight commenced."
The prosecutor added: "During the course of the fight, Euan Allison has tried to get Peter McGuinness away from his father but Kevin McGuinness and others have approached him and the accused Kevin McGuinness has punched him on the head. Mr Allison has then stepped from the kerb outside the pub and has fallen to the ground where another unidentified male has approached and stamped on his ankle. A number of parties intervened and the fight was eventually broken up."
Euan Allison was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured ankle that required surgery. Paul Kavanagh, defending Kevin, said: "His position is that his direct involvement did not cause injury to Mr Allison and he removed himself immediately when the ankle was broken." Romany McGuinness, of Hamilton, had her not guilty pleas to two charges of assault and one of acting in a threatening or abusive manner accepted.
