A woman on a night out was left bruised after a bouncer "forcibly dragged" her from Flares nightclub.
Scott Heyes, 22, of Greyhound Farm Road, Liverpool, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court today, December 8, after he left a woman bruised whilst throwing her out of Flares Nightclub on November 13, 2021. In a statement read out by Ms Page, prosecuting, a court heard that Michelle Taylor had been out with friends in Liverpool and had visited a number of bars before going to Flares nightclub, where she played a prank on a nearby table by moving their stools.
She said the other table were “playing along” by saying a "ghost" had moved the chairs, so Ms Taylor continued the joke. Soon after, she claimed that Heyes “grabbed hold of her” around her torso, prompting her to apologise, but Heyes continued to “forcibly escort her” out of the premises. She said she could not keep up with him as he “dragged” her out and up the stairs towards the exit of the club, so she tripped and hit her knees on the corner of the staircase, leaving her bruised.
READ MORE: Man charged with attempted murder of police officer
She was left “shaken up”, and claimed members of staff denied knowing Heyes when her friends asked them for his details moments after the incident. However, Heyes’ defence, Keith Webster, told the court that on the night in question, Heyes had not been drinking alcohol as he was working, and that Ms Taylor had been asked several times to stop moving stools and had been knocking over drinks.
He admitted to “hurriedly” escorting her upstairs, but claimed she refused to leave the Mathew Street club so he asked a more senior member of staff to remove her, which they did. Heyes pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating and one count of engaging in conduct not licensed by the Private Security Industry Act 2001, on November 7.
Mr Webster said that the 22-year-old understood why a patron of the nightclub would be upset by the incident, and took a “very humble approach” when accepting his actions. Heyes was given a 12 month community order, with 135 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £495 in costs and £75 compensation to the victim
It was also explained that Heyes did have a valid security licence and had passed all of his checks, but had not yet received his armband which was due two weeks later. This meant he was not technically allowed to work as a doorman, but Heyes claimed he had been told by his employer that he was permitted.
READ NEXT
Police found man on motorway bridge as predators drove him to suicide
Man arrested as boy fights for life after being hit by car
Full list of bank holiday dates for 2022 and 2023 including Christmas changes
