A GREENOCK dad has told a sheriff his attacks on two workers at a car dealership were the result of seeing his daughter being 'laughed at and ridiculed'.
James Coyle senior previously pleaded guilty to assaulting two men at Arnold Clark on East Hamilton Street in August 2021.
At the time, he was acting alongside daughter Demi Leigh Coyle – who was found guilty after a trial at Greenock Sheriff Court in January this year.
She was also convicted of behaving in an aggressive manner towards her partner or ex-partner during the incident.
Her brother, James Coyle junior, also admitted his role in assaulting one of the men at the car dealership.
All three returned to court this week to learn of their fate, with matters having been continued until social work reports could be completed.
Coyle Jnr’s sentencing was further delayed as his report was not yet ready.
READ MORE: Greenock woman convicted of assaults at car showroom
During Demi Leigh's trial, the court heard that she had been in a relationship with one of the complainers for around six months before the incident took place.
She described attending Arnold Clark, where her then partner was employed, after having an argument with him in her car, which was parked nearby.
The 30-year-old told the court he left the car in possession of her mobile phone and returned to work.
She attended at the showroom to retrieve the device, where she claims she was subject to whistling and crude comments.
Coyle Snr, 51, and Coyle Jnr, 32, later arrived at the car dealership, with a brawl quickly breaking out almost immediately after they turned off of East Hamilton Street.
At the latest calling of the case, Demi Leigh's solicitor told Sheriff Anthony McGeehan that his client had experienced abuse during her relationship with the complainer.
He added: “She does make the remorseful concession that she wishes she had dealt with the matter in another way.”
Coyle Snr, representing himself from the dock, said: “When we turned the corner, both gentlemen were laughing and ridiculing my daughter.
“That was the catalyst to the skirmish. What happened was regrettable and was not planned.
“I’ve never been in trouble with the police in my whole life.
“I’m not a bad man. It was just the two of them laughing at my daughter and her in tears.”
He told the pair: “Regardless of the behaviour of [the complainer] in taking possession of Demi Leigh Coyle’s mobile phone, your family had multiple opportunities to de-escalate this situation.
“Once you had your phone back, you could simply have chosen to walk away.
“You chose to continue your threatening or abusive behaviour before your behaviour as a family escalated to assault.”
Demi Leigh, of Garvald Street, was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, with Coyle Snr, of Gray Street, being instructed to undertake 180 hours.
They will each have 12 months to carry out the work.
Coyle Jnr, of Auchendarroch Street, will return to court for sentencing on April 22.
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