An Irvine boxing champion accidentally knocked out a man he pushed outside a pub in a row over sectarian karaoke singing.

Ryan Brawley was arrested and charged after he pushed a man outside the Irvine Water Sports Club last December.

A court heard that Brawley’s victim lost consciousness after he fell and struck his head on the ground in the incident.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard that a row erupted after the complainer’s partner got up to sing the song Simply The Best by Tina Turner on the venue’s karaoke on the night of December 27, 2022.

Brawley was fined and ordered to pay compensation to the complainer when he appeared in court for sentencing on September 12.

The 37-year-old had admitted an amended charge of pushing his victim on the body, causing him to fall and then strike his head on the ground and lose consciousness, to his severe injury.

The procurator fiscal depute said: "At 9.45pm the complainer's partner asked if it was okay to sing 'Simply The Best' by Tina Turner, as she was aware the song had a connection to Rangers FC.

"The DJ said she could - however during the song she changed the lyrics regarding the IRA.

“The song was stopped and the group was asked to leave."

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The court heard the singing had caused offence to a number of people, “some of whom were shouting and clearly angry” – and that after a sectarian remark was directed at Brawley outside, he told the singer: “If you were a guy, I’d have smashed you.”

After a further verbal confrontation with the complainer outside the Harbour Street venue, Brawley pushed him, and the complainer then fell backwards,

The court was told the complainer landed on his side, struck the left side of his face against the pavement and was left unconscious.

The fiscal depute added: "Brawley attempted to apologise to the man, but was told by family members to leave, which he did.”

The complainer regained consciousness around five minutes later, by which time his left eye was swollen and was turning purple, and he took a taxi to Crosshouse Hospital.

The fiscal depute continued: "He underwent x-rays to his face, and was found to have sustained a fracture to his left cheekbone, He underwent surgical procedure to rectify the injury.

"Following his discharge from the hospital the following day [the complainer] reported the matter to the police.

"The accused was arrested on December 30 and made no reply to caution and charge, before being released on an undertaking to appear in court.”

Brawley’s solicitor, Simon Brown, emphasised his client’s remorse and said the boxer was of previous good character and in full time employment.

He added: “It was just a push. Ninety-nine per cent of the time, no-one gets hurt and things move on, but both were just unlucky."

Brawley was fined £700, including a £40 payment to the Scottish Government's victim surcharge fund.

He will also have to pay £260 in compensation to the complainer.