Devlin was beaten unconscious

The 18-year-old thug who beat up Edinburgh stand-up Bruce Devlin has been jailed for two years.

The unprovoked late-night attack last October left the 30-year-old comic unconscious with a broken jaw.

Matthew Hunter, now 18, and two friends sat behind Devlin on a bus through the city at 11.30pm, and began tapping the back of his head. The comic asked them to stop, then got up to leave.

Hunter – who had been drinking all day - demanded: ‘What is your problem?’ before pinning the comic against the front window of the bus and punching his head and body.

The three, who did not know Devlin, then dragged him off the bus punched him unconscious, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard.

The court was also told he is still affected by the injuries and no longer uses public transport.

Hunter handed himself into police after hearing he had been identified from CCTV footage. He previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced today.

Published: 26 Oct 2007