A MAN who left one of his best friends severely injured after a brutal attack has been spared prison — due to an 'excellent' plea for mercy from his lawyer.

Alexander McAleese lost his job as a result of his violence.

He'd also been facing a lengthy jail term, until his brief Edel McGinty spoke up on his behalf.

Sheriff Joseph Hughes told the first offender: "Primarily due to the input from your solicitor I am persuaded to deal with this by way of a community payback order."

A boozed-up McAleese, 40, repeatedly kicked and punched his pal on the head and body as he lay helpless on the ground on Brisbane Street in Greenock.

Miss McGinty told the town's sheriff court: "Mr McAleese has expressed a great deal of remorse.

"Notwithstanding the events, they had a good relationship with each other and they were on good terms earlier in the evening.

"The assault took place over a short period of time and he accepts that he caused severe injury to his friend.

"I would urge your Lordship to consider that there are alternatives to custody here.

"He has lost his employment as a result of the offences and he struggled to cope with the consequences of his actions."

Miss McGinty added: "He is fully supported by his family and the complainer wishes to resume his friendship with Mr McAleese.

"It was an entirely unfortunate incident that appears to be out of character.

"The level of stress to him and the effect his actions have had on his friend will have a lasting impact on him.

"But for this incident, he is not known to the courts."

McAleese, of Brisbane Street, carried out the attack on February 2 last year.

Sheriff Hughes decided to imposed a community-based sentence with a number of conditions as an alternative to prison.

The sheriff told McAleese: "You pleaded guilty to assaulting one of your closest friends to severe injury.

"I have to say that at the top on my mind was that there was no alternative to custody here.

"However, there is an excellent [background] report and your solicitor has presented an equally excellent plea in mitigation of your behalf."

McAleese has been placed under supervision for 15 months, with an explicit requirement to undergo an alcohol treatment programme.

He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, pay his victim £400 compensation and he will be on an electronic tag to remain within his home between 8pm and 8am each day for four months.

Sheriff Hughes said: "Hopefully, you will learn and not return to the courts again."