A KILMARNOCK man has narrowly avoided prison for an assault at a bus station in the town.

David Samson, of Inchmurrin Drive, previously pleaded guilty to hitting the man on the head causing him to fall to the ground at Kilmarnock Bus Station on May 11.

The 19 year-old appeared at the town’s sheriff court on Wednesday for sentencing where he was described as presenting a “low-risk of reoffending”.

His defence lawyer said: “There is a [social work] report available that I think that is fairly positive. His life has become extremely different now.”

Sheriff Laura Mundell added: “There is one thing that jumped out to me which was positive, which is that the social work team seem to be think that Mr Samson, in spite of what he pleaded guilty to, is at low risk of re-offending.

"So, I could consider there not to be a focus for supervision.

“He still requires to be punished for this matter because it is serious.”

His lawyer explained in the hearing that Samson has been forced to grow up as he now has a young family since his offence.

She added: “It has been accepted that he has had to mature quite a bit. I am hopeful that since he has stopped consuming alcohol this will be the last time we see him.”

Samson was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work in the community within 12 months as a direct alternative to prison.