Scotland rugby player cleared of assault

A Scotland rugby international has been cleared of attacking a man who called a woman "a fat cow".

Rory Hughes decked Daniel Singh after the 25 year-old had been thrown out of Glasgow's Corinthian nightclub.

A trial heard Hughes – also 25 – only struck having believed an "aggressive" Singh was going to hit his friend's partner and his girlfriend's sister, Kerrie McGurk.

The Glasgow Warriors star from the city's Croftfoot, had an arm in a sling at the time due to a recent rugby injury.

Prosecutors claimed Hughes' reaction during the October 2017 incident was "disproportionate".

But, an assault charge was found not proven at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Paul Brown said: "I cannot be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you were not acting in self defence."

Singh – then a Sky TV worker - had been chucked out of the Corinthian for being drunk.

The trial heard there was then a "squabble" outside the club involving Singh.

He was described as acting "very angrily" and had tossed his blazer on the ground.

He initially stormed off, but returned before Miss McGurk tried to calm him down.

Singh was then said to have been "aggressive" to both her and another man.

It was at that point Hughes stepped in and punched Singh, who slumped to the ground.

The rugby star walked off, but later held for assault.

Singh told the court he had no recollection of approaching Miss McGurk – and that his next memory was waking up in hospital with a broken jaw.

It is not known how he came about the injury. He was found after the incident unconscious in the city's Royal Exchange Square.

Hughes accepted hitting Singh – but said: "I seriously thought he was going to hit Kerrie."

He insisted Singh had been trying to barge past bouncers and last out at people at the club.

His lawyer Neil McCulloch asked Hughes: "When Kerrie went to speak to Mr Singh what was his reaction?"

Hughes replied "F*** off you fat cow'. His stance was like he was ready to fight I thought he was going to hit Kerrie."

Mr McCulloch: "When you struck him, did you think that he was imminently going to strike her?"

Hughes – first capped by Scotland in 2015 - replied: "I genuinely believed he was. I don’t see why a man should have a cocked fist at a girl."

The rugby player later said he "would not accept" his reaction had been over the top.

It is the second time Hughes has been cleared of assault at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

A charge in 2015 was also found not proven after he was allegedly involved a rammy at a takeaway restaurant following a fancy dress party.