Glenn Joseph Botterill, of Aquila Road, was given 130 hours of community service and ordered to pay £1,534 in compensation to his victim after admitting assault.
The assault took place when the victim was walking near the Queen’s Road roundabout at about 11.30 pm on Friday 25 November, the Magistrate’s Court heard.
Ahead of him were two men walking separately – one whom he recognised as a man named Bobby, the other was the defendant.
As the victim reached the roundabout he saw the defendant ‘have contact’ with Bobby and believed he heard the defendant say to Bobby: ‘I have got your wallet’.
As Bobby appeared to be drunk the victim went to his aid and asked Botterill: ‘Have you got his wallet?’
Advocate Robinson said the defendant then punched the victim, fracturing his nose.
Advocate Sarah Dale, defending Botterill, said there was no evidence to suggest her client had been trying to rob Bobby.
In sentencing, the Magistrate, Bridget Shaw, said: ‘You misunderstood the situation.
‘A member of the public stepped in and you over-reacted.’
