SCOTLAND footballer David Goodwillie has been given a community service order for assaulting a man in a city centre.
The Blackburn Rovers striker will also be supervised for one year after admitting the attack on John Friel in Glasgow's Queen Street on November 3, 2010. The 23-year-old international repeatedly punched Mr Friel on the head and body and kicked him.
Sentencing Goodwillie at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Stuart Reid said the footballer had been convicted of an assault charge less than 12 months before the Queen Street incident and that he did not seem "deterred" by a fine and compensation order he had been handed for it.
He imposed a 12-month pro- bation order on Goodwillie, with the conditions that he is of good behaviour and is supervised by a local authority officer.
The order also requires Goodwillie to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Donald Findlay, QC, representing Goodwillie, said his client was "keen to make the most of his talent".
He said: "It is difficult for young men who have high profiles thrust upon them. It is sometimes difficult for them to cope.
"I am sure Mr Goodwillie can go on to have a long and successful career in the game of professional football.
"He realises he must learn to deal with situations, even if they are not of his making or instigating."
Mr Findlay added that Goodwillie would approach any sentence handed to him in a "positive and constructive way".
Sheriff Reid said: "I have taken into account the fact you were convicted of assault just under 12 months before this.
"The fine and compensation order imposed on you then did not seem to have deterred you, and in fact this matter has escalated in severity.
"I plan to impose a probation order on you for a period of 12 months."
The sheriff said Goodwillie's sentence of 80 hours of unpaid work had been cut from 90 to reflect his plea of guilty on April 2 this year, before the matter was due to go to trial.
Goodwillie had admitted repeatedly punching Mr Friel following a confrontation in the Oko Express Japanese sushi restaurant. The footballer lashed out after his then Dundee United club-mate Danny Swanson had been knocked unconscious by Friel.
Friel was given 240 hours of community service last August after he admitted the assault on Mr Swanson.
Goodwillie, from Stirling, moved from Dundee United to Blackburn last summer for a fee of about £2 million.
In 2009 he was fined after attacking a rugby player following a row outside a nightclub in Stirlingshire.
Goodwillie has played for Scotland three times, scoring once against world champions Spain.
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