Serving soldiers given custodial sentences for nightclub attack

The families of two serving soldiers wept in the public benches at Dundee Sheriff Court as the young men were given custodial sentences by Sheriff Elizabeth Munro.

Army soldiers Ross McCartin (21), of Finmore Street, was jailed for 2 years, while co-accused Ryan Steven Blaney (20) was sent to detention in a young offenders institution for two years.

Both men were previously found guilty by a jury of, on April 2 last year, in Fat Sam’s, while acting with others unknown, assaulting Jamie Kelly, c/o Tayside Police, butting him on the head, seizing him on the body and punching and kicking him on the head and body and repeatedly knocking him to the ground, all to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

After the jury found the men guilty last month, Sheriff Munro told both men, who had denied their guilt throughout, that a custodial sentence was possible.

Family members gasped when the sentences were handed down and were openly distressed as the pair were led from the court.

Both men were attached to the 39 Engineer Regiment based at Cambridge McCartin with the 48 Field Squadron (Air Support) and Blaney with the 10 Field Squadron (Air Support).