Footballer David Goodwillie to do 80 hours community service for assault By ASHLIE MCANALLY Published on Tuesday 1 May 2012 00:00 SCOTLAND striker David Goodwillie has been ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service for an assault outside a restaurant on a man who had earlier knocked a team-mate unconscious. Goodwillie repeatedly punched John Friel in Glasgow city centre in November 2010. The footballer lashed out after his then Dundee United club-mate Danny Swanson was knocked out by Friel. Now with Blackburn Rovers, Goodwillie, 23, pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assault and was handed the order by Sheriff Stuart Reid which includes a 12-month probation period. Goodwillie, who played in his team's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, appeared in the dock less than 24 hours after the game's final whistle. Passing sentence yesterday, Sheriff Reid said: "You were convicted of an assault less than 12 months prior to this particular offence, and the fine and compensation order imposed did not appear to have the effect of deterring you. Instead, your offending was repeated and, it may be said, escalated in severity. Goodwillie had been on a night out with fellow Tannadice players at the city's Karbon nightclub before they went to the Oko Express restaurant in the early hours of 3 November. Friel, 22, who was not known to the footballers, interfered as Danny Swanson took a photograph of a team-mate with a customer. This sparked a confrontation outside and Friel punched midfielder Swanson, leaving him on the ground for five minutes. Prosecutor Joe Stewart told how Goodwillie came to his friend's aid before learning Friel had been the culprit. Mr Stewart added: "The accused made his way across Queen Street to approach Friel. He was partially restrained by a friend, but managed to break away, losing his shirt. The footballer smacked Friel before punching him five or six times on the head and body. The court was told Goodwillie - who moved to Blackburn last August - also aimed a kick before Friel staggered away, falling over a bin. Mr Stewart said Goodwillie appeared "emotional" before police turned up and detained the Scotland star and others. Friel was given 240 hours of community service last August after he admitted to the assault on Mr Swanson. Goodwillie's QC, Donald Findlay, previously said Friel's attack that night had been "cowardly and brutal." Mr Findlay told how Mr Swanson had a medical condition which had his friends fearing his life could be in danger. He said Goodwillie was "clearly very angry" at what had happened and confronted Friel, whom he said was standing about "bold as brass." Mr Findlay went on: "Mr Goodwillie accepts that this type of behaviour was not justified. It was largely driven by genuine concern for his friend who was in some distress. His [Swanson's] life, for all that was known, could have been at risk. Mr Findlay added yesterday that it was difficult for young men who had high profiles "thrust upon them" to cope. He said Goodwillie realised he must learn to deal with situations and was "keen to make the most of the talent he has been given." Goodwillie was fined in 2009 after he admitted attacking a rugby player, following a row in the car park of a a nightclub in Stirlingshire.