HALIFAX EVENING COURIER, MONDAY 12TH AUGUST 1963
SAILOR LOST EYE IN ATTACK OUTSIDE A DANCE HALL
A young sailor received such a serious injury when struck with a webbed belt outside a dance hall in Helensburgh (Dunbartonshire) that his right eye had to be removed, said Mr E G Smith, prosecuting, in Glasgow Sheriff Court today.
Patrick O’Kane (22), labourer, pleaded guilty to assaulting Brian Chester Clark, of the Royal Navy, stationed in H.M.S. Exmouth at Faslane Port, Shandon, by striking him on the head and face with a belt to his severe injury. He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.
SWUNG BELT ROUND HEAD
Mr Smith said that when two girls came out of a telephone kiosk outside the dance hall, O’Kane removed a webbed belt from his body and swung it round his head, striking Clark on the forehead with it. Clark turned round and said ‘Watch it, Jock. I’m not fighting’.
O’Kane then swung the belt again, striking Clark on the right eye.
In court, O’Kane told Sheriff Hamilton: ‘It all started in the dance hall when two sailors asked me outside for a square go. Somebody threw a bottle and that started it. I am very sorry this has happened’.
Shandon People and History 