DRUNKEN SAILORS ON THE RAMPAGE
Frightened Faslane locals claim Navy bosses have lost control of violent mobs of boozed-up military staff
TOP brass have been accused of losing control of Faslane personnel after a string of violent brawls involving drunken sailors.
In the latest incident, a teenage girl was knocked cold by a man thought to be a Royal Navy officer. Local
publicans have witnessed countless flashpoints and say the thugs involved have no respect for authority.
Now Argyll MP Brendan O’Hara is demanding tougher action from the commodore of the Clyde naval base, police and the Ministry of Defence.
The Record has obtained CCTV footage of several incidents involving men identified by locals as Royal Navy personnel.
The most recent shows a group of men involved in a scuffle at the Logie Baird pub in Helensburgh before slightly-built teenager Emma McGhie is knocked to the ground. She lies motionless as the melee continues.
Another clip shows a drinker being head-butted.
The Record told recently how restaurateur Milan Nikolic was accused of assault after he knocked out two Navy personnel. He was cleared after it was proven that he acted in self defence.
Since then, the problem has escalated with Emma, 18, taken to hospital and treated for concussion after a cowardly attack at the pub, which is owned by Milan and wife Cara.
Cara wrote to Faslane demanding a meeting with the base’s commander, Commodore Mark Gayfer – but he refused, fuelling claims that the issue is being swept under the carpet.
Cara wrote: “This is the latest in a long line of incidents involving Navy personnel. Clearly they are out of control. They have no respect for the publicans, our door staff or the law.
“I have had females punched, spat on and now purposely tripped over.
“Ultimately they are showing no respect to the base either and are an embarrassment to the service.
“These naval personnel are spoiling Helensburgh’s social scene for everyone else. I think it would be constructive if we could meet with the commanding officer to discuss our concerns.”
Cara blasted claims from Faslane top brass that Navy personnel are no more rowdy than Helensburgh locals.
She said: “That’s a load of nonsense. Any local licenced premises knows exactly who the Navy guys are from the way they look and talk.
“I have nothing against the Navy – my father is an English sub-mariner.
“The Navy need to face facts. They always want to sweep the problems under the carpet but something needs to be done.”
Emma echoed calls to get the sailors under control. She said: “I was basically grabbed from behind and slammed to