Darwin Currie, of Puriton, sentenced for pub attack on doorman

Darwin Lithgow Currie, of Puriton, appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 28 for sentencing following a trial in which he was found guilty of one count of assault by beating

The 54-year-old had denied the charge which related to an incident at Finns Bar, on Westham Road, in Weymouth, on June 19, 2021.

Finns bar where the doorman was attacked.

Prosecuting, Elizabeth Valera, said that the assault was directed at a doorman at the pub.

She said: "He [the doorman] was working in the public house at a time when people should have been wearing masks back in June last year."

Currie was said to have been at the pub with a group who were advised by security that they would need to wear masks or leave.

Three people in the group, which didn't include Currie, were said to have then started swearing at the doorman.

The court heard that the doorman got the three members of the group to the door but that there was an altercation whereby people started punching over each other to hit the doorman.

Currie was said to have then come from behind and hit the doorman, catching him on his cheekbone.

The defendant was said to have rugby tackled the victim, taking him around the waist, and guiding him to the pool table.

The victim fell to the floor, and Currie was said to have then struck him with his knee to the face.

Ms Valera said that the victim is seen with one hand on the floor while the defendant continues to hit him in the head and the body.

The doorman's hand is stepped on and a group of customers try to help him.

It was said that the doorman was then taken to the bar where the defendant continues to punch him before members of the public got involved and pushed Currie out of the pub.

Shortly after leaving, Currie was arrested.

Currie pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was attacking the doorman in defence of other people, and following this, in defence of himself.

However, Ms Valera said the trial heard that Currie had no injuries and that CCTV footage showed that Currie attacked the victim from behind.

She said: "Mr Currie attacked him from behind which the Crown would describe as a cowardly attack as he was already dealing with people in front of him."

The victim was said to have suffered with cuts, bruising and swelling to his face, body and hand as a result.

A spokeswoman speaking on behalf of the probation service said she interviewed Currie, who was formerly in the military for more than 20 years, and said he seemed very apologetic and remorseful for his actions.

She said: "He knows he should have known better."

Representing himself, Currie said: "I'm disappointed in what happened.

"My whole military career has been built on discipline, and this was one of those incidents that just shouldn't have happened."

He said he had served in Afghanistan and had been homeless in the past and was worried that the possibility of custody would possibly lead to him being homeless again.

Chair of the bench, Sara Saunders, called the incident a 'nasty' and 'prolonged' assault and said that Currie was the antagoniser.

She added: "Thank you for being so honest with us, it's very helpful."

"We do believe it's serious enough for us to give a community order."

Ms Saunders gave Currie a 12-month community order. He must also undertake 200 hours of unpaid work, pay £500 towards court costs, £200 compensation to the victim and a £95 victim surcharge.