A WHITECROOK man who knocked his cousin out with a “lucky punch” during a drunken disagreement over a woman has been told by a sheriff he’s on his last chance.

Ryan Elliot, 34, had been out boozing when he bumped into his relative shortly after picking up a takeaway on Sunday, March 12.

But the atmosphere soured when the pair started arguing and fighting.

Elliot rained blows on his victim – repeatedly punching him on the head and even threw chicken pakora at him.

Appearing from custody at Dumbarton Sheriff Court at an earlier hearing, Elliot admitted assaulting his cousin on Dumbarton High Street on Sunday, March 12.

The court was also told how the victim sustained a “large cut” to the back of his head and was taken to hospital for treatment, where he received 12 stitches.

Elliot has four previous convictions for assault.

When the case returned to court on Tuesday, July 4, Phil Lafferty, Elliot’s defence solicitor, said the incident led from a “chance encounter” with a relative and a “mistaken word” about an ex-partner led to a fight where “one lucky punch” landed.

Mr Lafferty also told how the incident had caused “some difficulties” within the family and it was something Elliot was “anxious to put right”.

Mr Lafferty explained how Elliot had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but said his client accepts full responsibility.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told Elliot: “You have been on remand for three and a half months but I am prepared to go down an alternative route. But this is your last chance.”

Elliot, of East Barns Street, was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community within six months.

He’ll also be under supervision for two years, and was also ordered to undertake alcohol counselling ad treatment.

A review of the order will take place in September.