A BUS driver knocked his colleague unconscious on a staff night out after his workmate ignored him.

John McAllister left his fellow bus driver with fractures to his face and a spell in hospital after the dispute in an Argyle Street Wetherspoons.

The 65-year-old appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court last Friday where depute fiscal Jessica McGowan detailed the offence.

A group of drivers were in the Sir John Moore public house around 9.40pm on September 30, 2020 when the incident happened.

Ms McGowan said: “At this time they got into a drunken argument and the accused punched the witness to the face, knocking him to the ground unconscious.

“An ambulance and police were called.

“The witness was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and left in the care of staff there.

“He suffered a right temporal contusion, fractured maxilla, and was in hospital for two days before being discharged.”

In response, McAllister’s defence brief said: “He is 65 years old and has been married for 35 years and has two adult children.

“He was out with three work colleagues - the complainer is also a bus driver.

“He spoke to the complainer and the complainer ignored him so an argument broke out.

“The complainer is back working and they are on friendly terms.

“He has only one previous conviction for a road traffic offence in 2010.”

The court was told McAllister, from Knightswood, “only drinks socially” and has been careful with his alcohol intake since the offence.

Sheriff Patricia Pryce said: “You are a gentleman of a certain age and stage in your life.

“Your victim here suffered a severe injury and was in hospital for two days.”

McAllister was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

He must also pay his victim £1000 in compensation at a rate of £30 per week.