Man admits head-butting Posers bouncer

A man had to be taken to court at the public expense to answer a charge of assault.

Stewart Grazier, 26, of Charlotte Street, Stanley in County Durham, was fined £200 after he admitted head-butting a doorman at Posers on 30th November.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said Grazier, an unemployed plater, had gone to the nightclub, but was recognised by staff as previously having been barred.

“He was escorted by security staff and assaulted the complainer in the manner libelled.”

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Grazier had been in custody since noon the previous day. He had also spent five to six hours in custody on the night of the incident.

“His position is that he was not barred, but was simply not allowed in.” The court heard Grazier had previously failed to attend court and, in the meantime, had changed address. He had to be brought to court at the public expense after handing himself into a police station, claiming he could not afford to attend out of his own pocket.

Honorary sheriff Sandy Cluness said: “Having considered the nature of the assault and the time you have spent in custody and, to some extent, the difficulties you have encountered in getting here, I have decided in the circumstances a fine of £200 would be appropriate.”