A THUG helped ambush a stranger after being refused a cigarette.

Abdullah Abubakar, 26, turned on Harith Suliman near Glasgow’s King George V bridge in September 2018.

Mr Suliman was initially verbally abused by Abubakar’s friend before the brave victim stood up to him.

Mr Suliman was attacked for 60 seconds by Abubakar and two others and sustained a grazed forehead.

Abubakar pleaded guilty on Thursday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assault to Mr Suliman’s injury.

The court heard Mr Suliman was close to the end of the bridge when he was stopped by the group.

Prosecutor Hannah Terrance said: “The accused asked him for a cigarette and he said no.

“One of the group told Mr Suliman to f*** off and on hearing this Mr Suliman walked off before changing his mind.

“He shouted f*** off before being confronted by the accused and his two friends.”

Mr Suliman was grabbed into the group before Abubakar punched the victim on the head and body.

He tried to defend himself by swinging his rucksack during the one-minute attack.

The trio fled the scene but were initially chased by Mr Suliman who stopped to phone the police.

Abubakar was traced the following day by CCTV and he was arrested.

Mr Terrance told the court Mr Suliman received a grazed forehead following the attack.

Lawyer Brian Cooney, defending, said Abubakar was sentenced to two years and nine months in England for supplying cocaine.

He added Abubakar was heavily under the influence of alcohol during the attack on Mr Suliman.

Sentence was deferred until next month for background reports by Sheriff Alan Mackenzie.

Abubakar, of the city’s Govan, who appeared from custody, was granted bail meantime.