TWO men are awaiting sentence for their roles in a 'head stamping' attack which took place at HMP Kilmarnock.

Andrew Burns and Dale Lockhart appeared together in the dock on Tuesday, November 26, where both pleaded guilty to a charge of assault. 

The violent incident took place on February 26, 2022, when 37-year-old Burns and Lockhart, aged 29, were inmates at the prison.

Procurator fiscal depute Fraser Alexander told Kilmarnock Sheriff Court that, at around 5.18pm, another prisoner had been leaning over the first floor balcony outside his cell within the jail's F-wing.

The male was surrounded by a group of five other inmates which included both Burns - of Pollock Crescent in Kilwinning - and Lockhart, who now resides on George Street in Paisley.

The man then moved to head back into his cell when the group "attacked him without warning".

Mr Alexander added: "He was repeatedly punched on the head and he was taken hold of and they repeatedly punched and kicked him on the head and body."

The court was told that, after seeing the altercation, prison officers then made their way towards the group.

The prosecutor stated that Lockhart walked away at this point, however, the remaining four members of the group continued to punch, kick and stamp on the head of the man who had fallen to the ground.

When officially cautioned and charged, Lockhart told police: “I only punched him once.”

Prison staff defused the situation shortly afterwards before the inmate who had been attacked was checked over by medical staff.

He was found to have sustained a black eye and a graze as well as both bruising and grazing on his back and side.

Defending, solicitors Brian Holliman - for Burns - and Eliott Gemmell, for Lockhart, asked that background reports be prepared before sentencing.

Sheriff Nicola Patrick agreed and deferred sentencing until the new year, with both lawyers reserving any further comment until then.

After the admissions of Burns and Lockhart, all five men who played a role in the attack have now pleaded guilty.

First to appear was Mark Davidson, 29, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison at the beginning of October.

Liam Clark, 25, was jailed for 21 months as he appeared in the dock later in the month.

Conan Baliga, 25, submitted his plea at the beginning of November and is due to be sentenced next month.