Police officer who assaulted man to do unpaid work

A police officer who admitted assaulting a man while on duty has been ordered to do unpaid work.

PC Craig Simpson, 39, repeatedly punched Mark Pettigrew, 30, after he was asked to leave a gig at Glasgow's Hydro venue on 11 March 2023.

The police officer hit Mr Pettigrew on the head at least four times, causing his nose to swell.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Simpson was ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work and pay £550 in compensation.

The court heard that Mr Pettigrew was attending a country music festival at the venue but was escorted from the building after an incident with staff.

Simpson noticed Mr Pettigrew running from security and followed him in a police car.

Sheriff Vincent Lunny said footage of the incident was "quite shocking".

He said: "This was completely unprovoked in all the circumstances - taking into account that you were the victim of an assault by another person in the previous November.

"You were a police officer on duty in uniform and the victim was in custody who managed to break free.

"He was outnumbered by you and your colleague two to one and you struck him with handcuffs and your fists which is an aggravating factor.

"This is not a trivial matter and it is terrible that an unblemished career has come to an end and I take no pleasure in sentencing you.

"Custody would be justified, but you had an unblemished record and this was obviously a one-off situation."

Prosecutor Lauren Donnelly told the court that Mr Pettigrew went on the bonnet of the motor.

He then demanded to know why he was being pursued.

Simpson and a colleague took hold of Mr Pettigrew and restrained him before he was put in a police van.

Mr Pettigrew later stated to Simpson's colleagues during the journey to the station that he had been punched in the face by the officer.

When he arrived, he said: "A police officer attacked me...one of your staff attacked me."

Simpson later submitted a "use of force form" on March 12 2023 stating that Mr Pettigrew had been "extremely aggressive."

The officer claimed that Pettigrew had broke free and raised his hand towards him.

Simpson stated that he "delivered an open hand strike" to Mr Pettigrew's face to "disorientate" him to apply handcuffs.

A statement of opinion from fellow officer Brian Higgins said that due to Mr Pettigrew's arm being raised, an initial push to the face was "justified."

However, he went on to state: "The subsequent strikes, especially holding handcuffs, causing Pettigrew to cover up and followed by two punches after this were not justified.

"They were not proportionate...regardless of contact or not."

Paul Anderson, defending, told the court that Simpson had been seriously attacked on duty on the previous November by a man.

"He didn't take time off work in the aftermath of the attack.

"It is position that Mr Pettigrew put his hands up and there was a perceived threat.

"He has had an unblemished career for 10 years which will now be destroyed in 10 seconds.

"As a consequence, his career will be over and he is presently suspended - he is seeking alternative employment which is proving difficult."