A motorcyclist who followed a driver before attacking him in Ayr has narrowly avoided custody after raising £1,500 compensation for the victim.
Anthony Ramage, 36, pleaded guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court to assaulting the motorist to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement. The case returned to court for sentencing last week after the incident in George Street on May 7.
The court heard that Ramage punched the man on the body and pushed him to the ground. He then kicked him while he was on the ground and struck him with his motorcycle helmet, causing the injuries described in court as severe and permanently disfiguring.
What happened in George Street
Ramage also faced a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. Prosecutors accepted a not guilty plea to that charge.
The charge alleged that Ramage had pulled out in front of the car, forcing the driver to brake sharply. It was further claimed that he made repeated rude hand gestures, followed the vehicle, got off his motorcycle, approached the car, opened the driver's door and repeatedly shouted and swore at the driver.
Ramage, who lives on Russell Drive in Ayr, admitted the assault. His defence solicitor Ian Gillies told the court that his client had immediately informed police that he was responsible.
“He realises this is an extremely serious matter and immediately informed police he was the person responsible.”
Mr Gillies said Ramage was 36, lived with his wife and child and had a good work record. He described the incident as involving “a bit of pushing” and said Ramage had returned to his motorcycle without knowing that the victim had suffered serious injuries.
Why custody was considered
Sheriff Mhari MacTaggart said Ramage’s previous record and the deliberate decision to follow the other vehicle made the case serious.
“You are not a stranger to this court with various road traffic and violent offences.”
She added that the fact Ramage had deliberately followed the driver and then kicked him on the ground was particularly serious. The sheriff told the defence that the conduct and Ramage’s record placed him within the custody threshold.
However, she was prepared to consider a non-custodial sentence if suitable compensation was paid for the victim’s severe injuries. The amount was set at £1,500, with Ramage given until August 27 to produce the money.
When he returned to court on Thursday, defence solicitor Steven Maxwell said the money was available and could be paid that day. He explained that the compensation order was a direct alternative to custody and that any breach could result in imprisonment.
Sentence imposed
Sheriff MacTaggart told Ramage he had avoided custody “by the slimmest of margins”. He was made subject to a community payback order with supervision for two years and ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work.
The sheriff gave him the full two-year period to complete the unpaid work, noting that he runs a business.
