TWO violent brothers left an elderly man unconscious and unable to hear in a vicious attack just after Christmas.

William and David Tarbert attacked four men between them, including pulling one from a vehicle while another one was pushed onto a concrete bollard in Paisley High Street.

The pair appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on October 11 for sentencing after they earlier pleaded guilty to their "catastrophic" crimes.

William, 40, of Caledonia Street, and David, 37, of Glencoats Drive, both Paisley, admitted involvement in the incident on December 28, 2022.

Both men pleaded guilty to assaulting a man, repeatedly punching him on the head, taking hold of him by his clothing and pushing him on to a concrete bollard to his injury.

David also assaulted a second man by dragging him from a vehicle, punching him on the body and repeatedly punching him on the head and body.

William also admitted assaulting a third man, punching him on the head causing him to fall to the ground and strike his head on the ground. The victim lost consciousness and the attack was to his severe injury, permanent impairment and permanent disfigurement.

The attacker also assaulted a fourth man by punching him on the head.

William's defence KC said her client recognised the impact and apologised to the victims.

Sheriff William Gallacher interjected and asked how that fit with the suggestion to social workers that it was self-defence.

"He accepts his recollection about how events unfolded don't reflect reality," said the advocate.

"He accepts he was extremely, heavily intoxicated. He perceived as events unfolded that his brother was outnumbered.

"He does express remorse for what has happened. He is aware of the severity of the offence."

Sheriff Gallacher said similar attacks had led to homicides.

"What happened on this occasion was utterly disgraceful," he said. "The damage caused to them was incomprehensible."

The defence advocate said after the single punch to one victim, it became apparent "there were severe consequences". She said they stopped the attack and didn't flee the scene.

First offender David's defence solicitor said his client also took full responsibility for what happened after the brothers had been out drinking.

"A comment had been made and essentially he saw red and he reacted in the manner he pleaded guilty to," said the lawyer.

"He has extreme remorse for his actions. He is completely ashamed and devastated by his actions and the impact on the witnesses. It is out of character."

The sheriff said social workers had been "seduced" by David's high salary as an offshore worker when they suggested a fine would be a suitable punishment.

It was not appropriate, he said, and demanded a check with the employer if his time abroad could accommodate unpaid work in the community.

William was taken into custody while this was checked.

When the case resumed, the sheriff said: "What I heard described in the events just after Christmas were horrible - absolutely horrible - committed by two drunk men."

A "side comment that might have been made" led to a violent situation including a man being dragged from a car.

"You should be utterly ashamed," said the sheriff.

David was ordered to do 270 hours of unpaid work in the community within 15 months.

Turning to William, Sheriff Gallacher said his "utter disregard for other people" led to him causing "catastrophic injuries to a mature individual whose life has changed forever", including loss of hearing.

He jailed him for 22 months.