A MAN who pinched a uniformed police officer on the buttock as she patrolled a pub on New Year’s Day as been convicted of assaulting an officer in the execution of their duty.
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Callum John McGowan, 34, of Maple Close, Kelso, appeared in person and unrepresented before Magistrate Michael Allen in Bathurst Local Court last week.
The court heard how on New Year’s Day, at around 1.40am, the officer was carrying out an inspection of the Elephant and Castle Hotel.
As the officer walked past McGowan, who was sitting on a stool at the end of a table, he grabbed the officer on the right buttock and squeezed with a firm grip.
When the officer turned to him, he said to her: “What ... it’s New Year’s Eve, what’s wrong with that?”
He then placed his right hand on her left shoulder and grabbed at her police shirt.
When instructed to let go of the shirt, McGowan tried to stand up, but fell forward.
Police observed the accused was well affected by alcohol and he was escorted from the premises.
He was taken back to Bathurst Police Station, charged and released into the custody of his girlfriend.
As they left the police station, police noted McGowan’s inappropriate behaviour continuing as he was yelling and abusive towards police.
On the charge of assaulting an officer, he was fined $600, with 28 days to pay.
In a separate charge, also relating to New Year’s Day, McGowan was convicted on Monday of assault.
The charge related to an incident which occurred at the Family Hotel at 12.35am on January 1, where McGowan grabbed a victim by the throat and pushed him to the ground.
The court heard McGowan punched the victim a number of times in the face before the fight was broken up and McGowan was removed from the hotel.
Mr Allen convicted McGowan, and placed him on a Section 9 Bond for 12 months.