Doorman attacked 'in heat of moment' (From The Advertiser Series)

Darlington man headbutted door supervisor in town pub

11:37am Saturday 8th September 2012 in News By Steven Hugill

A DARLINGTON man headbutted a door supervisor after being told to leave a pub, a court heard.

Louis Jarvie, 21, repeatedly punched his victim when he tried to escort him out of the Tap and Spile, in Bondgate, last month.

Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard Jarvie, of Bowman Street, had previously been barred from the venue, and took offence when asked to leave again by the landlady.

Jonathan Bambro, prosecuting, said Jarvie, a full-time plasterer, became agitated and hit out when the man tried to usher him to the door.

He said: “He stood upright and refused to leave and became angry when they took his drink away.

“He lashed out with a clenched fist, striking blows to the man’s head and upper body.

“They both fell to the floor and Jarvie struck out several more times, headbutting the man which left him with bruising on his forehead.”

Jonathan Harley, mitigating, said Jarvie was upset at the attitude of the landlady and doorman towards him, but could not excuse his behaviour.

He said: “He didn’t know what was going on and was not given an explanation why he was being asked to leave.

“He felt aggrieved because this wasn’t a totally unprovoked attack and he did not appreciate being grabbed by the man.

“However, he knows his reaction was despicable and he is ashamed and embarrassed.

“The red mist descended and he reacted in the heat of the moment, but it was totally out of character.”

Magistrates excluded Jarvie from the Tap and Spile pub for six months and fined him £250.

He was also ordered to pay his victim £50 compensation.