A THUG from Largs who fractured a man's eye socket was caught after the incident was recorded on a mobile phone.

Stephen McKnight, 29, pounced on Andrew Gardner in Glasgow city centre on September 9, 2022.

McKnight was seen to punch Mr Gardner on the face which caused the bleeding victim to fall to the ground.

The attacker fled the scene but was caught after cops viewed the mobile phone footage, which helped to identify McKnight as being involved.

The victim, meantime, was treated at hospital for a displaced cheekbone as well as the fractured eye socket.

McKnight pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court on March 20 to assaulting Mr Gardner to his severe injury.

The court heard that witnesses became aware of a disturbance between the two men on Sauchiehall Street.

Prosecutor Ryan Watson said: "One witness took his phone out to film the ongoing altercation.

"At this time, McKnight lunged forward and punched the victim to the face, causing his nose to bleed and him to fall to the ground.

"McKnight then made off on foot."

Police were approached by Mr Gardner whose nose was still bleeding but was unable to recall events.

Mr Watson said: "Officers viewed the aforementioned video and took a still shot of McKnight on their devices for identification purposes."

Mr Gardner was then taken to hospital for treatment for a displaced cheekbone, fractured eye socket and facial bones.

He was given the option of an operation to move the cheekbone back into place but there were potential risks to the eyeball and facial nerves.

Officers later spotted a man walking on Sauchiehall Street who matched the still image they'd taken from the video.

McKnight was then arrested and taken to a police station.

Sheriff Andrew Cubie deferred sentence until May for background reports.