Unpaid work for man who lashed out in pub

New Year’s Eve reveller hit bar worker in face after row broke out and later struck arresting police constable

A Montrose man has been ordered to do unpaid work after a Hogmanay row ended with him assaulting a police officer outside a town nightclub.

Bruce Ogilvie had earlier been thrown out of the town’s Anchor Bar, but felt hard done by, having been the target of insults – as well as a tin of energy drink, wielded by a woman in the pub.

He was traced by police at nearby Busby’s and lost his temper when he was told he was being arrested.

Reinforcements had to be sent after he delivered a jab at one of the officers, leading to an incident which, in the words of his solicitor, “should never have happened”.

Ogilvie, of High Street, Montrose, appeared before Sheriff Jillian Martinbrown at Forfar where he admitted punching a man in the Anchor Bar on December 31 last year, and assaulting a police constable at George Street in Montrose.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said Ogilvie and around 20 other patrons had been finishing up their drinks in the pub just after 1am when trouble flared.

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The accused stared face to face with him and, without warning, quickly punched him on his chin with his right fist

“A disagreement took place between the accused and a female, whereby she leaned back and struck him on the head with a can of Red Bull, causing the liquid to spray,” she said.

Ogilvie became angry and, in an attempt to calm the situation, a member of the bar staff tried to usher him away.

However, that only caused further problems, the court heard.

“The complainer placed his hands on the accused’s shoulders and attempted to push him towards the door,” said Ms Drummond.

“The accused stared face to face with him and, without warning, quickly punched him on his chin with his right fist.”

Less than half an hour later, police traced Ogilvie to Busby’s nightclub and asked him to step outside so they could speak to him about the earlier incident.

Ogilvie was told he was being arrested and police took hold of his arms, but he broke free and “jabbed” one of the officers.

Both incidents were captured on CCTV, the sheriff was told.

Defence solicitor Julie Young said Ogilvie had been the subject of derogatory and offensive remarks relating to his family in the pub.

“He accepts that he should have just gone quietly and none of this should have happened,” she added.

Sheriff Martin-brown told Ogilvie: “It seems alcohol has played a part in your offending but obviously assaulting a police officer is a serious matter.”

Ogilvie was ordered to complete 135 hours unpaid work under an 18-month community payback order.

Bruce Ogilvie admitted punching a man in a pub and later assaulting a police officer outside a nightclub on Hogmanay.