Barred Lanarkshire publican fined for station breach of peace

Sep 11 2008 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A LANARKSHIRE publican has been fined £265 for a disturbance at Hamilton Bus Station.

Darren Johnstone – currently barred from 18 county pubs – pleaded guilty to charges of breach of the peace and attempting to avoid arrest.

Earlier this year, Johnstone also had his licence to sell alcohol at Larkhall’s Raploch Bar suspended for six months.

It followed complaints from police that he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

Hamilton Sheriff Court was told last week how the 25-year-old former super-featherweight boxer had shouted and cursed in Hamilton Bus Station on July 1.

He struggled violently with constable Stephanie Sword and lashed out with his arms and legs.

Both offences occurred while Johnstone, of Drygate Street, Larkhall, was on bail on other matters.

Co-accused John Townsley, of Wellgate Street, Larkhall, had faced charges of drinking beer in Hamilton’s Station Road and committing a breach of the peace at the bus station. However, his not guilty pleas were accepted by the Crown.

Johnstone’s not guilty plea to a charge of attempting to rescue 33-year-old Townsley from police officers at the bus station and demanding his release was also accepted by the prosecution.

Sheriff Frank Pieri fined Johnstone £100 for the breach of the peace and £165 for resisting arrest.

In February, members of Larkhall Pubwatch barred Johnstone from 10 pubs in the town.

It followed an incident allegedly involving Johnstone in the town’s Thistle Snooker Club.

And last month it emerged that Johnstone had been barred from eight Hamilton bars.

The sanction had been imposed by Hamilton Pubwatch.

The ban followed a series of alleged incidents involving Johnstone at licensed premises in Hamilton.

Last month Johnstone said he intended to clear his name and had lodged an appeal with Hamilton Pubwatch.

He claimed newspaper stories about his bans had made him the focus of attention and encouraged people to challenge him.

Johnstone further claimed that bad publicity had impacted on his business.

He explained that trade at the pub had dried up and he was losing £1000 a week.