A factory worker caused a disturbance in an Elgin bar after being asked to leave for not wearing a face mask.
Lloyd Irvine assaulted two workers at the Kirkie Bar after he was told he must wear a face covering inside the pub.
The 36-year-old was seen to “lunge” across the bar at the Main Street pub and try to seize the men, before shoving them.
They’d challenged him over his failure to comply with the face mask requirement, Elgin Sheriff Court was told.
The bar was mainly set up for outdoor drinking at the time, on May 5, 2021, but Irvine had gone inside to use the toilet and in doing so should have put on a mask.
‘Lunged across the bar’
Fiscal depute Karen Poke said Irvine was spotted walking inside the pub by two men preparing drinks behind the bar at around 6.30pm.
“They advised him he was required to wear a mask,” she said. “He refused saying he was exempt and he became annoyed when told he couldn’t be in the bar without one.
“He approached the bar and lunged across the bar towards the men trying to grab at them.
“They fended him off, exited from behind the bar and pushed him towards the exit.
“The accused was pushing back against them when doing so.
“Other patrons intervened to assist.”
‘Deeply disappointed’ in himself
She said once outside Irvine calmed down and left.
Defence agent Matthew O’Neill said Irvine was indeed exempt from wearing a mask due to breathing issues and had his client been sober he may have explained that in a “sensible manner”.
“He came into the bar to use the bathroom. He was exempt from wearing a mask,” he said.
“If he had been sober that’s a discussion he could have had to discuss it sensibly with those working the behind the bar.
“That didn’t happen and he behaved in the manner libelled.
“He was deeply disappointed to have acted in the manner which he did. Both men were and continue to be known to him.”
‘Water under the bridge’
The solicitor said Irvine had since made contact with one of his victims, the proprietor of the Kirkie Bar, to apologise and said the matter is now “water under the bridge”.
Sheriff Robert MacDonald told Irvine, who admitted two assault charges: “You really shouldn’t have been behaving in that manner whether you had a reason for not wearing a mask or not. It doesn’t excuse you pushing and shoving and making trouble in the bar.”
He ordered Irvine, of Covesea Road, Elgin, to pay a £420 fine.
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