A THUG punched a man around 20 times during an attack in Glasgow.

Kenneth Thomson carried out the assault in the Bellgrove Hotel, in Gallowgate, on November 7, 2020.

The hotel, which shut down last year, was used as a homeless hostel.

Thomson, 34, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court last week for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to repeatedly punching the victim on the head.

Prosecutor Laura Martin said: “At 5.20pm, the complainer was in the TV room of the hotel. The accused walked into the TV room and walked directly towards the complainer, jumped at him, and threw about 20 punches to his face and head.

“Every punch made contact. The accused then left, and police were contacted.

“He was traced the following day. He was cautioned and charged to which he made no reply.”

Thomson’s lawyer said things have “moved on” for his client.

He added: “It was quite a nasty assault. He now lives in Edinburgh and is receiving considerable help for his mental health.

“He has a record, an analogous record. At the time of the offence, his mental health was not as stable as it is now.

“I would ask you to consider the sensible recommendation within the report which is a community payback order. Unpaid work would be helpful to provide him with some structure.”

Sheriff Charles Lugton said: “This appears to have been a particularly unpleasant assault, but I have come to the view I can deal with it by an alternative to custody.”

Thomson was ordered to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work and be under social work supervision for one year.