A junior footballer from Angus has been fined and banned from his local pub after punching staff while drunk.
Liam Bailey was caught on CCTV attacking a barman and an off-duty staff member at The Anchor Bar in Montrose.
The 26-year-old was being escorted off the premises when he lashed out, Forfar Sheriff Court heard.
Bailey admitted attacking both men and acting abusively at the Ferry Street bar on October 30, 2021.
The Montrose Roselea JFC midfielder was fined £500, plus a £20 victim surcharge, at Forfar Sheriff Court.
Bailey was also banned from entering the pub for a year unless he is granted permission by the license holder, or someone acting on their behalf.
Last year, Bailey was fined another £500 for his involvement in a fracas at Sharkys Bar in Montrose.
That incident occurred less than three months after these assaults.
Assaults
Fiscal depute Elizabeth Hodgson explained that while Bailey had been at the bar, employee Jamie Thomson was on shift.
Fellow employee Connor Bruce was in the bar, she said. He was not working but having a drink with his girlfriend.
“At about 9.45pm, the accused was within the locus,” Ms Hodgson said.
“He was being loud and speaking to other patrons of the bar.
“The accused was asked to leave the pub due to his behaviour.
“He became aggressive and was shouting in the pub.”
Barman Mr Thomson took hold of Bailey to escort him out, and another member of the public tried to help but was asked to step back.
Bailey then punched Mr Thomson to the back of the head “several times.”
At this point, Mr Bruce got up and tried to help.
However, Bailey punched him in the face, causing his nose to bleed.
Mr Bruce attended A&E at Ninewells where he was checked over.
Police attended at Mr Bruce’s home two days later to take a statement and then recovered CCTV from the bar.
Grown up since
Bailey previously wrote to the court pleading guilty to attacking both men, injuring Mr Bruce and acting in a threatening or abusive manner.
His solicitor Nick Markowski said: “This was a difficult period for him.
“He sought assistance after this incident.
“He pled guilty at the outset, he accepts full responsibility, he understands that these people should not have encountered him in this particular way.”
Mr Markowski added: “He’s embarrassed and ashamed.
“It does appear he’s grown up significantly since this incident occurred.
“He’s determined he won’t return to court.”
As well as fining him, Sheriff Andrew Berry banned Bailey from entering the bar, which is on the same street as his home, for a year unless given permission by the license holder.
Last year, Bailey was fined after he admitted slapping a woman on the buttocks and pummelling a bouncer then refusing to leave Sharkys Bar while “extremely intoxicated.”
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