By Dave Lord

ONE OF Perth Prison’s most senior officers faces disciplinary action and possibly the sack following his role in a brutal assault.

Gary Watkinson, who was seconded to HMP Zeist in Holland during the high-profile Lockerbie bombing trial, punched and kicked a man in the head while on a night out in Perth city centre.

Perth Sheriff Court heard the 41-year-old father-of-three’s job is on the line, despite him being regarded as a prison officer of the “highest calibre.”

Watkinson, of Pitheavlis Terrace, admitted assaulting Stacey Stewart Crowe on Scott Street, Perth, on June 7. He pleaded guilty to punching Mr Crowe on the face then kicking him on the head to his injury.

Depute fiscal Therese Oswald said the offence took place outside the Royal Bar at around 11.50pm.

She described how Watkinson punched Mr Crowe in the face, knocking him to the ground. Then, as his victim attempted to get back up again, he kicked him in the head.

“Witness Crowe initially appeared to be unconscious for a time,” Ms Oswald added. “He regained consciousness fairly quickly and declined medical attention.

“He was heavily under the influence of alcohol and was urged to go to hospital for his own safety.”

Ms Oswald said that, when questioned by police, Watkinson stated, “I was at the side door and this guy who was drunk started giving me gip.

“I was having a fag and he came toward me and threw a punch and I punched him back.”

Although Mr Crowe sustained a bleeding nose, Ms Oswald said it was not possible to ascertain the full extent of his injuries due to his refusal to seek medical attention.

Watkinson’s solicitor told the court of the accused’s acute sense of shame following the offence but insisted there had been a significant element of provocation.

“The accused was enjoying an evening out when this happened,” the defence agent said.

“He left the pub to have a cigarette and the male who approached him was aggressive for reasons unknown to Mr Watkinson. He believes it may have been because he was a prison officer.

“The accused attempted to move away from the complainer but the complainer followed him and threw a punch.”

The solicitor said Watkinson promptly punched Mr Crowe back “out of self-defence.”

“When the complainer attempted to get back up again, he kicked him,” he told the court. “Unfortunately, the kick connected with the complainer’s head, although Mr Watkinson had intended to kick him on the body.

“Mr Watkinson is extremely embarrassed by his actions and apologises to the court for them.”

The solicitor added the accused now faces a disciplinary hearing and that dismissal is a real possibility.

Several testimonials were presented to the court, including a reference from Angus Ross, head of human resources at Perth Prison.

It stated that Watkinson has been a prison officer since 1989.

“He was promoted to a managerial position in 1995, the most senior uniformed grade at the time,” Mr Ross stated.

“He has continued to work at HMP Perth since then as first line manager with the exception of a secondment to HMP Zeist during the trial of the Lockerbie bombers.

“Because of the high-profile and international nature of the trial in Holland, only those officers and managers considered to be of a suitable calibre were selected for this assignment.”

Mr Ross stated that dismissal was a possible outcome.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher told Watkinson he had come perilously close to earning a jail term.

“A kick to the head is regarded as a very serious assault which puts your liberty at risk,” he said. “I take into account your previous good record and also the testimonials given to me.

“In all the circumstances, I will deal with the matter by way of a monetary penalty and you will be fined £600.”