A MUSCLEMAN who knocked a guest at a society equestrian ball out cold was told by a Sheriff on Wednesday that he had come close to jailing him -- because no-one could say he didn't know his own strength.

Top Scottish bodybuilder, Ross Kerr, broke the jaw of his victim, Peter West, with a single punch at the British Showjumping Association's Scottish Branch annual awards ball.

Kerr, 23, waded in after his drunken girlfriend clashed with a schoolgirl on crutches and Mr West, 49, went to the teenager's aid.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard that the 1am incident on January 15 occurred at the ball, attended by showjumpers from all over the UK, at 14th century Airth Castle, near Falkirk.

Mr West, his wife Sarah, and the 14 year-old girl, who had a cast on her right ankle, were among the guests, as were Kerr and his then girlfriend, Holly Cunningham, 26.

Mr and Mrs West, and the teenage girl, who for legal reasons cannot be identified, were seated at a table with a friend.

Miss Sarah Lumsden, prosecuting, said Miss Cunningham was "in a very drunken state".

She walked over to the Wests' table, spilled a drink over Mr West, and knocked over several glasses.

The teenage girl asked Miss Cunningham what she was up to.

Miss Lumsden said: "Miss Cunningham began to shout abuse at the girl, who pointed out to her that she was 14 and on crutches. Words were heated between the pair.

"Peter West stood up and said to Miss Cunningham that she'd had too much to drink and advised her to go to her room.

"At this, Mr Kerr approached Mr West and punched him to the left hand side of his jaw, causing him to fall to the ground. He was rendered unconscious for a short period of time."

Kerr, of Balgreggie Park, appeared for sentence after pleading guilty to assault to severe injury at an earlier hearing.

Murray Aitken, defending, said Kerr, who had been "drinking alcohol to excess", was "genuinely remorseful".

He said: "He hasn't consumed alcohol since, has terminated his relationship with Miss Cunningham, and has made a fresh start in a new relationship."

He pointed out that Kerr had thrown just one single punch.

Sheriff Wyllie Robertson ordered Kerr, who has no previous convictions for violence, to pay Mr West £2000 compensation and to carry out 300 of hours unpaid work -- the legal maximum.

He also placed him under supervision for two years.

He said: "The level of violence was severe enough to knock the complainer unconscious and break his jaw.

"The difficulty you have, from doing that, is that you can't say you didn't know your own strength, because from what you presently do, you do know your own strength. This was really an unprovoked attack.

"I do acknowledge that since this incident you have reacted in a very proper and appropriate manner towards your own conduct.

"You have, I'm told, stopped drinking alcohol, the relationship with the person for whom you were misguidedly trying to intervene has been concluded, and you seem to be making appropriate progress as far as your own career is concerned and are doing good work in the community.

"You can take it that today you have come as near as you'll ever get to custody without going to custody."