PC headbutted off icer at force football match
£500 fine for ‘moment of madness’
A POLICEMAN escaped jail yesterday for breaking another officer’s nose during a football match.
Craig Gupwell, 26, headbutted fellow PC Stuart Hamilton, 37, after they clashed during the game.
The match, between the old Strathclyde Police K Division and B Division, took place on February 7, 2013 at Ralston Community Sports Centre in Paisley, Renfrewshire.
Gupwell was sent off over the incident – and was later charged with assault.
At Paisley Sheriff Court, Gupwell, who played for Motherwell in his teens, admit- ted he had broken Mr Hamilton’s nose – but denied assaulting him.
The 6ft 3in centre half, who also played junior football for Pollok and Bellshill Athletic, claimed Mr Hamilton, a 5ft 10in striker, suffered the injury after they went ‘head-to-head’ following a tackle.
But Gupwell was convicted after Mr Hamilton told Sheriff Robert Fife: ‘He walked away to his own 18-yard box and I shouted over to him to tell him to calm down.
‘He just kind of lost the plot altogether. I didn’t think there was any need for that, considering what we both do for a job.
‘He lost the plot and became aggressive, shouting in my direction. He’s walked towards me. He’s basically headbutted me on the nose and broke my nose.
‘He dropped his head towards me. He headbutted me on the bridge of my nose. I dropped to the ground on one knee and my nose burst open. I felt pretty severe pain.’
Mr Hamilton said his nose was ‘extremely sore’ afterwards, add- ing: ‘It was no longer straight and I had a big gash. It wasn’t very nice. I had two black eyes as well.
‘My six-year-old boy, when I went home, burst into tears at the state of my face. It remained in a state for at least a couple of weeks.’
Mr Hamilton went to hospital on the evening of the march, where his nose was glued. The following week, it was rebroken and reset.
After senior officers became aware of the incident, an investigation was launched and Gupwell was charged with assault. He was convicted last month and sentence was deferred.
In court yesterday, defence solicitor Joseph Cahill said Gupwell had already paid a high price, adding: ‘He has undoubtedly lost his job, his career, his pension and his salary. He has paid a very, very heavy penalty.’
Sheriff Fife described Gupwell’s actions as ‘a moment of madness’ as he spared him jail – although he did fine him £500.