A raging customer headbutted a Perth pub worker after he refused to let him drink indoors because of strict Covid laws.
Gary Chalmers lashed out at an employee in the city’s That Bar on South Street in October last year, just days after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a nationwide ban on pubs serving alcohol indoors.
The 41-year-old left his victim Scott Tarrant gushing with blood, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
Chalmers resisted police when they tried to arrest him later that evening in the beer garden of Perth’s Bank Bar.
The father-of-two, of Drummond Way, was jailed for four months.
Sheriff Neil Bowie told him: “You are not a young man anymore.
“This assault was totally unprovoked.
“The man was just doing his job at the time.
“Given the nature of the offence and your previous convictions, in my view there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”
Sheriff Bowie pointed out an earlier conviction from 2017, when Chalmers threatened bar staff at Perth’s The Venue, had similarities to his latest charge.
Became aggressive
Fiscal depute Andrew Harding said Chalmers went to That Bar with others but was refused entry because of strict coronavirus laws.
“The accused then became angry.
“He grabbed Mr Tarrant’s clothing before headbutting him to the face.
“This cause Mr Tarrant’s lip to start bleeding.”
Chalmers left the venue and bar staff called the police.
“Just before 9pm, the accused was traced at the Bank Bar where he was cautioned and arrested.” said Mr Harding.
“He became aggressive, tensed his arms and grabbed onto the table.”
The court heard when he was restrained and arrested, Chalmers told police: “Go f*** yourself.”
Solicitor David Holmes said that his client was “so drunk he didn’t remember what had happened.”
He said that there had been a notable decrease in Chalmers’ offending.
Champagne row
In 2017, Chalmers was ordered to carry out 210 hours of unpaid work over a stand-off with staff at Perth’s Venue bar.
Perth Sheriff Court heard he had made the “impulse decision” to splash out on a £75 bottle of champagne just before closing time.
When he was told he couldn’t take the bottle away with him, he flew into a rage and threatened licensee Frank Burgerseed and his team with violence.
Grabbing the bottle by the neck, he told them: “I’ll slash you if you don’t step back.
“I’ll put this right through your necks” and “I’ll rip the skull out of you.”
