Student is warned over string of assaults

Risk to career prospects

A student has been told that his career prospects could be in tatters after he carried out three violent assaults in the space of six months.

Clement Banjo (21) was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work in the next nine months when he appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court last week.

Banjo, of Queen Street, Stirling, carried out the first of his attacks in the Fubar nightclub on September 29 last year.

The court heard that Caleb King was in the VIP lounge when he saw Banjo, who he know from the university.

He approached him, clapped his hand on his shoulder and waved to greet him but the accused reacted angrily, saying “get away from me”. He then punched Mr King in the face three times.

Mr King went home and contacted the police and Banjo voluntarily attended at the police station.

The second assault took place in Friars Street at around 3.45am on December 6.

On this occasion he assaulted Thomas Oliver, who was with his girlfriend at the time.

The woman was approached by Banjo and two other men. He asked if she had a boyfriend and if she would add him on Facebook.

At this point Mr Oliver stepped in and an argument ensued. Mr Oliver was pushed on the body, repeatedly punched on the head and kicked on the body before the three men ran off.

The victim was taken to Forth Valley Hospital with a black eye, bruising to his back, bruising to his left eye, swelling to both sides and a swollen and bruised ankle.

Banjo was identified through Facebook as one of the attackers and on January 26 he was arrested.

The third assault took place on March 21 near the Dusk nightclub, where Banjo attacked Brett Borthwick by punching him on the head.

The court was told the two men got into an argument.

Security staff stepped in to separate them and at this point Banjo punched his victim once on the face, causing swelling and bruising to his right eye.

Defence solicitor Ken Dalling said: “It is unfortunate that this 21-year-old student with no previous convictions appears here for three assaults in six months.

“In relation to charge one the complainer and accused were known to each other. He says that the complainer touched his hair and his reaction was to tell him to go away. He accepts that he resorted to violence but felt he was provoked.

“The following incident he thought he was being a friend to a girl who it turned out had another male in her company. He has to accept responsibility for what happened next. Thankfully there was no significant injury.”

Mr Dalling added: “He has a good academic history and hopes to have a career in the banking sector. He is studying at university level.

“He accepts his fault and in the report he does not give the impression that this is how he would act sober.”

Sheriff Wyllie Robertson said that Banjo’s actions could have a severe impact on his future career prospects.

He added: “What is clear is that you are very ready to lift your hands in violence.

“It may or may not be when you drink but it is an issue which has resulted in you being here today for three assaults in six months.”

Banjo was placed on an unpaid work order as a direct alternative to custody.

What is clear is that you are very ready to lift your hands in violence