'Out of control' Nelson club bouncer slammed by judge

7:37pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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A JUDGE slammed as "utterly disgraceful" the actions of a nightclub bouncer who "completely lost control" and beat a would-be customer.

Recorder Geoffrey Lowe said the actions of Ian Simpson were "the sort of behaviour society wants to see stamped out".

However Recorder Lowe chose not to jail the Simpson, fellow bouncer Liam Butler who saw the assault but did not intervene and bystander Wasim Shah who joined in for the "sheer love of gratutitous violence".

The incident was one of the reasons why police sought a review of the licence of the Goodnight Club, Stanley Street, Nelson.

Last month the club's licence was suspended for a month after what police said was a catalogue of incidents, including 70 reported crimes in 2007, ranging from assaults and public order offences to drugs allegations and theft.

Burnley Crown Court heard how licensed doorman Simpson "completely lost control" when Michael Walmlsey tried to get into the club.

Mr Walmlsey was dargged across the road where Simpson, 36, kicked him whilst he was on the ground and fellow bouncer Butler, 21, stood back and did not restrain him..

Wasim Shah, 23, who was nothing to do with the trouble, then joined in for "the sheer love of gratuitous violence," and also booted Mr Walmsley in the early hours, last November.

Both Simpson and Shah kicked him twice.

The court was told the victim was said to have sent Simpson, of Roegreave Road, Oswaldtwistle, a letter suggesting he would be happy to be "bought off,"and drop charges over the melee.

Simpson, a widower whose disabled son depends on him, Butler, of Charles Street, and Shah, of Westmorland Street, both Nelson, all admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Simpson was given 200 hours unpaid work, Butler, a mechanic at Blackburn Audi, was given a three month 10pm to 7am curfew and Shah got 100 hours unpaid work and 12 months supervision.

A third bouncer at the club, Daniel Sheridan, was earlier bound over.

Sentencing, Recorder Geoffrey Lowe, who had watched CCTV footage of the fracas, said he had originally planned to send them to prison and they could not have complaiend if he had.

The judge said :"This type of behaviour is utterly disgraceful.

"It's dangerous and it's the sort of behaviour society wants to see stamped out."

Recorder Lowe told Simpson:"Your main purpose in being a doorman was to try and quell and subdue trouble and not cause it."

He added if the defendant was sent to custody his young son would suffer more than him.

The judge said Shah's involvement was "the most flagrant sort of mindless street violence" likely to be seen.

John Gregg, prosecuting, said Simpson and Mr Walmsley had argued before the trouble started.

Mr Walmsley did not go to hospital but had suffered bruising, soreness, dizziness, and swelling.

Mr Lowe said Simpson claimed he was acting in self defence, Butler accepted excessive force was used and Shah could not explain why he got involved.

The prosecutor said Simpson had no previous convictions. Shah had a record, but no convictions for violence. Butler admitted the offence on the basis he did not kick or punch the victim.

Abigail Hudson, for Simpson and Butler, said Mr Walmsley became obnoxious when he was refused entry to the club because of his clothing.

Miss Hudson said Butler became involved as in his training he had been told doormen should not be separated.

For Shah, Richard Taylor said the defendant had battled a drug addiction but had then got an alcohol problem.