A police officer who repeatedly punched a country music fan while on duty was ordered today to do unpaid work. Craig Simpson, 35, lashed out at Mark Pettigrew after the 30 year-old was asked to leave a gig at Glasgow’s Hydro on March 11 2023.
PC Simpson struck after Mr Pettigrew broke free from a colleague following being restrained. He hit Mr Pettigrew at least four times to the head which caused swelling to his nose.
Simpson’s 10-year police career is now at threat after he pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assaulting Mr Pettigrew to injury. Simpson was told to do 180 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay Mr Pettigrew £550 in compensation at today’s sentencing.
Sheriff Vincent Lunny said: “The footage of the incident is quite shocking. 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 firsts 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.”
The court heard that Mr Pettigrew had been at the Hydro arena that night attending a country music festival. He was escorted from the venue after an incident with staff.
Simpson noticed Mr Pettigrew running from security and followed him in a police car. 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 sergeant told Simpson on March 21 2023 that a complaint had been sent by Mr Pettigrew regarding an alleged assault.
CCTV of the incident was reviewed. It was found Mr Pettigrew had “dropped himself to the bonnet” of the police vehicle before the officers “assisted him to his feet” and took hold of him.
Miss Donnelly said: “Pettigrew turned his head and engaged with Simpson who appeared to look around. Pettigrew broke free from the grasp of Simpson’s colleague and turned to face Simpson.
“Simpson, who was holding his handcuff, repeatedly struck and punched Pettigrew to the head.” 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.” The matter was then reported on May 8 2024. Miss Donnelly stated that 30 police officers had been cited for the case before it went to a guilty plea.
Paul Anderson, defending, told the sentencing 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.”
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