Bouncer’s ear bitten by marine in street brawl

Trio of servicemen admit offences, with one exposing himself on dancefloor

A trio of Royal Marines have admitted their part in a brawl outside an Angus nightclub in which one of the servicemen had exposed himself on the dancefloor in a “potentially incendiary” act.

Two of the men, who were serving with Arbroath-based 45 Commando at the time, have been fined for their involvement in the October 2018 fight.

The third will be sentenced next month following his guilty plea to disfiguring a bouncer by biting his ear during the fracas outside DeVito’s nightclub.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard the men had been drinking and singing karaoke on the night out to mark the departure of one of them from the Condor base near the town.

Thomas Colclough, 27, of Derby admitted assaulting a man to his injury and permanent disfigurement by repeatedly punching him and biting him on the ear.

Ben Webster, 32, of Flintshire, pled guilty to struggling with a bouncer and committing an offence of public indecency and Leon Salter, 29, from Hull, admitted a charge of assault.

A fourth accused, Jack Teare, 22, of Epsom, had a not guilty plea to an assault charge accepted by the Crown.

Depute fiscal Laura McGillvery told the court a club steward was alerted to an incident on the dancefloor just before 2am, which led to Salter being removed from the premises by two bouncers.

As they reached the street outside the Millgate premises the fight broke out. It was captured on CCTV and shown to the court. One of the bouncers was bitten, leaving a permanent scar on his ear.

Ms McGillvery said Webster’s indecent exposure then came to light when police reviewed club CCTV as part of their investigation into the incident.

Webster avoided having his name added to the sex offenders register after the Crown accepted there had been no complaint from any member of the public about the exposure and there was no significant sexual element to the offence.

“When drink has been taken you can’t stop getting involved in violent incidents. SHERIFF MURRAY

The court heard the men had been out to mark Webster’s transfer to Devon, but what was described as a “peaceful and happy evening” erupted when Salter was ejected.

Webster’s indecent exposure was described by his solicitor as a “stupid” offence.

Sheriff Gregor Murray said it was “potentially incendiary in a public nightclub” and fined Webster £750.

Fining Salter £500, the sheriff said: “Your record shows that when drink has been taken you can’t stop yourself getting involved in violent incidents.”

Colclough will return to court for sentencing on September 19 following the preparation of a background report.

DeVito’s nightclub on Millgate Loan, Arbroath. A brawl erupted outside the premises last year.