Drunk fan at rock concert lashed out at doorman

A DRUNK Stereophonics fan lashed out at a doorman when he was refused entry into the band’s Newcastle gig.

Shaun Crossman flew into a rage and punched the bouncer in front of shocked concert-goers at the Metro Radio Arena one evening last month.

The 45-year-old took offence to being told he was too drunk to go in and hit the doorman in the neck, a court was told.

But Crossman woke up with more than a hangover when he was arrested and charged with one count of assault by beating, which he pleaded guilty to during a hearing at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Ordering him to do unpaid work as part of a community order, District Judge Kate Meek said: “You have heard what has been said about the offence. It’s serious enough for a community order to be imposed. Your behaviour was unacceptable and violent and it was against a member of staff working at the time. It was also in front of a large number of people who were trying, presumably, to have an enjoyable evening.”

The court heard unemployed Crossman, of Bruntoft Avenue, Hartlepool, confessed to having a “skin full” on the night but claimed the door staff were “over the top”.

Neil Taylor, mitigating, said: “He accepts an altercation took place and his behaviour shouldn’t have been how it was.”

Crossman was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a community order. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.