Man at Perth Sheriff Court for assault outside The Loft

Sep 11 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A PERTH man carried out an “unprovoked and frenzied” attack after another man said “hello” to him outside a local nightclub.

As he left The Loft in the early hours of the morning, 26-year-old Darryl Barker punched Nichol Pollock on the face, knocking him to the ground.

He then took hold of the victim and repeatedly punched him about the head.

And when nightclub steward Barry Guthrie intervened, Barker turned on him and gave him a black eye for his troubles.

The two incidents led to Barker, of North Methven Street, being fined a total of £800 at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday. He was also ordered to pay £400 in compensation.

Barker admitted the two assaults which took place outside the South Street club on May 2 this year.

Depute fiscal Janine Bates said that Mr Pollock had been refused entry to the nightclub as he was wearing white shoes and was standing outside, talking to friends, about 1.50am.

Barker had been ejected and was leaving the premises when Mr Pollock spoke to him.

“The accused walked past a few yards before stopping, turning round and punching Mr Pollock to the side of his face.

“The accused then took hold of the complainer and repeatedly punched him to the head in an almost frenzied attack.”

He was taken to A&E at Perth Royal Infirmary where he had three stitches inserted to the outside of his mouth and one to the inside. It appeared that his tooth had cut its way through his cheek.

As Mr Guthrie and a colleague took hold of the accused, he punched him on the left eye but he didn’t require medical attention.

Solicitor Billy Sommerville said Barker had been drinking and had been ejected – he felt unfairly – from the premises. He had lost his jacket containing his keys and was upset.

The accused was fined £600 and ordered to pay £300 compensation for the attack on Mr Pollock and he was fined £200, with £100 in compensation, for the second assault.

He will pay the penalties at the rate of £125 a month.