A man who took a police officer’s baton from him during a brawl in an Oban nightclub, knocked him down and repeatedly kicked him on the head, will be sentenced next month.
Darren Brown, 24, of Bracadale Grove in Glasgow, appeared at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday.
He admitted assaulting the policeman, his female colleague and two other people during the incident at Skipinnish in George Street on August 28.
Fiscal Emma Thomson said that at one point there were around 20 people involved in the brawl.
She said: “David McArthur was heading towards a bar area when he came upon a fight. He observed the accused involved in a fight with another male who is unknown. Mr McArthur said the accused kept asking to fight him, he said no.
“Shona Penfold, Mr McArthur’s girlfriend, jumped between them, and the accused – without warning – punched Miss Penfold to the face.
“At this point Mr McArthur restrained the accused to the ground with the assistance from the stewards.”
Brown then managed to punch Mr McArthur on the head and body, leaving him with a black eye.
Police were called to the scene.
Miss Smith said: “Several people, around 20, were involved in this fight and were hostile and aggressive towards the police.
“PCs Keith Docherty and Darrel Burnside drew their batons to try to fend the men away and create space. Several males including the accused were particularly aggressive. They repeatedly pushed forward at the police and were threatening to assault them and take their batons from them.”
She said that PC Docherty put his baton back in its holster and deployed spray in an effort to get Brown to step back.
Miss Thomson said: “The spray was ineffective. Brown was able to gain control of the baton and move it aggressively towards PC Docherty.”
Brown then kicked the officer on the body, who fell to the ground.
While on the ground the officer was kicked repeatedly on the head by Brown. He was left with bruising.
PC Lisa Neish attempted to take hold of Brown before he repeatedly punched and kicked her on the body, leaving her bruised. With the help of a steward she was able to restrain him before another officer arrived and handcuffed him.
Sentence was deferred until May 23 for background reports.
Sheriff Ruth Anderson said: “This is a serious matter.”
