Musician assaulted police officer at illegal city rave
AMUSICIAN assaulted a police officer while at an illegal rave attended by 150 people. Michael Akinpelu squared up to PC Grant McPherson at Glasgow’s Velvet Lounge in August this year.
The 31- year- old pushed the officer before twisting back his thumb when police attended the nightclub in the city’s Laurieston.
Akinpelu was later arrested following a struggle but was snared with a knife in his shoe at a police station.
He pleaded guilty yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assault, obstructing police and possession of the knife.
The court heard officers attended the club at 3am amid claims someone had been injured.
Officers were initially unable to gain entry as the shutters had been rolled down.
Prosecutor Lauren McRobert told the court officers eventually made their way in at 3.30am to find 150 revellers inside.
The crowd became hostile and attempted to flee the bar before Akinpelu approachedw the officers.
Miss McRobert said: “The accused pushed PC McPherson with both hands away from the door which allowed a number of people to exit.
“PC McPherson held out his hands to hold the accused back and told him to get back.
“The accused grabbed the officer’s left arm and twisted it and grabbed his right thumb and twisted it right back.”
Akinpelu was held back by members of the public and officers later attempted to arrest him.
The attacker tensed his arms and refused to let the officers handcuff him.
Akinpelu was later taken to police office where officers discovered a kickback knife in his shoe.
David McBride, defending, told the court Akinpelu claimed to have taken the blade from an unknown person at the bar.
He added: “Mr Akinpelu is a musician and the group were in Glasgow that weekend making a music video.
“He was due to return to London by bus in the early hours of the morning but with the video complete they were asked to attend the nightclub.
“He accepts there is no excuse for this behaviour and conduct towards the police.”
Sheriff Ian Fleming set a proof in mitigation for a later date to determine the reason behind how the knife came to be in Akinpelu’s possession.
He was meantime. remanded in custody