Ex-footballer cleared of murder bid after boxer brother admits punch attack

The brother of a former Scottish footballer who left a man badly injured with a single punch has been jailed for almost four years.

Martin Hetherston – a trained boxer – set upon the victim in the Joker Bar in Bellshill on July 2, 2022.

The victim was knocked unconscious by the 57-year-old, who left him suffering a potentially fatal brain injury and a fractured jaw.

First-offender Hetherston – described by his lawyer as effectively a pillar of his local community for his 40 years involved in boxing and coaching of the sport – was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

Last month, he had been joined in the dock by 60-year-old brother Peter Hetherston – the ex-Aberdeen and Raith Rovers midfielder – as well as 31-year-old Lauren McGowan.

They had all faced a charge of attempting to murder the victim.

But, the ex-footballer and McGowan walked free after Hetherston pleaded guilty to assaulting the man to his severe injury, permanent impairment, and disfigurement as well as to the danger of his life.

Lord Colbeck jailed him for three years and seven months.

The court heard how the victim and his friend went to the bar to sell cigarettes and a dash cam.

The men spoke to a member of staff who said that they knew someone who would be interested in purchasing them.

They were directed to the beer garden and were soon joined by Hetherston and another man.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing KC said: “Hetherston immediately punched [the victim] once on the head, causing him to fall to the ground.

“He then punched [the friend] on the head before he was pulled away by the other man.

“This other individual then punched [the second victim] on the head.”

The associate stated to the victim as the pair fled the scene: “If you open your mouth, you will get worse.”

The hearing was told the victim was initially unconscious for seven minutes.

He came to and managed to walk away from the pub, but was found stricken again by paramedics outside a nearby property.

He was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a cut to his head, a fractured jaw, as well as a blood clot between the skull and surface of the brain.

This then involved surgery as well as plates and screws fitted to repair the damage to his jaw.

Mr Ewing added: “The blood clot and swelling to his brain were life-threatening, and if he did not have the operation, he would have died.”

It was stated that he now has epileptic fits since the incident and struggles with fatigue.

Hetherston, of Coatbridge, also admitted to assaulting the man.

His lawyer said Hetherston had been involved in boxing since he was 18, with it being a “philosophy” for his “lifestyle, fitness, health and discipline”.

Graham Roberston, defending, added: “I stress discipline, which is tragic in the circumstances.”

The court heard that a total of 21 testimonials had been given to Lord Colbeck to read.

Mr Robertson: “In the cross sections of references, there is a tremendous groundswell for Hetherston from clergy members, business personnel, people who have known him for decades.

“He presents as a man who is a very positive role model for many people.”

Sentencing, the judge stated that the victim and his friend appeared to have been “lured” to the beer garden in what seemed a “pre-planned confrontation”.

Lord Colbeck: “It is clear, however impulsive your behaviour may have been, you failed in the most terrible way to live up to the standards, I am told, you attempted to instill in others.

“This is not a case of an ordinary man spontaneously throwing a punch.

“It is one of a man with years of training punching an unsuspecting victim.”