Boxer fined for fight in street

Jun 24 2009 by Gregor White, Stirling Observer Wednesday

A BOXER aiming to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games has been fined after taking part in a street fight.

Garry Hamilton (18), who already had previous convictions for public disorder, was identified as one of two “main instigators” in a fight said to have involved around 15 men in Bannockburn’s Main Street on March 15.

Along with co-accused Leon Rougvie (17) of 18 Station Road, Bannockburn, Hamilton pleaded guilty to breach of the peace at Stirling Sheriff Court yesterday (Tuesday).

The court was told trouble erupted at around 1am, with staff at the nearby Tartan Arms the first to become aware of it.

Depute fiscal Laura Wright said: “Members of staff saw all the males present throwing sticks and bottles and striking each other with sticks and batons.

“Police arrived quickly after a 999 call and saw approximately 15 males fighting with each other, two of these, the now accused, with their shirts off.

“According to police the accused Hamilton and Rougvie were adopting boxer-style stances and punching at each others’ heads.

“Others were trying to join in the fight, taking wild punches and running at each other.

“Due to the large number of males involved, it was impossible for police to monitor the actions of them all but their view was that those now accused were the worst in the group.”

Police put Rougvie in a headlock but had to release him as Hamilton, of 3 Firs Crescent, Bannockburn, continued to try to punch him in the head.

Calls for back-up eventually led to the arrival of more officers, including a police dog handler, and at that point the rest of the mob ran off.

Solicitor Frazer McCready said Hamilton and a friend had been watching a boxing match and drinking alcohol before meeting up with more friends.

“There appeared to be a number of youths out in the Bannockburn area at the time, a lot of them drinking,” he said.

“He is not clear about what started the fight though his position is it wasn’t him.”

The court heard that Hamilton, a member of Hillpark Amateur Boxing Club, took part in a boxing competition while he was on bail for this charge.

Mr McCready said: “Clearly he is a talented boxer and it is hoped that he may represent his country in the Commonwealth Games.

“The sad thing is that boxing is a disciplined sport and clearly what happened on March 15 showed a complete lack of discipline.

“Those involved in coaching Mr Hamilton have been very clear with him that, if he finds himself in a situation like this again, he must exhibit far more self-control and he accepts that.”

Representing apprentice joiner Rougvie, Ken Dalling said his client first became aware of a fight taking place when another group began running towards him and his friends.

“He sustained an injury to the back of his neck and, after having been taken to Stirling police office, was taken to Stirling Royal Infirmary where he had stitches applied,” he said.

He added: “He accepts now that it was a matter of choice for him to become involved in this incident, certainly after the police arrived”.

Sheriff Craig Henry told both of them: “Although I am prepared to deal with this matter by way of a fine it will have to be a substantial one in each case, given that this disturbance meant the streets being unruly and the police being required to call for assistance to quell what was going on.

“Clearly you were a danger to yourselves and it must have been alarming for others for so many young people to be fighting in the street in the early hours of the morning in an incident in which you appeared to be the main instigators.”

Rougvie was fined £300 while Hamilton was ordered to pay £400.