A KILWINNING man who kicked a police sergeant in the head has walked out of court with a fine.

James Thompson, of Auchenkist Place, was lambasted for mixing alcohol and medication when he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week.

The court heard police were called out to Taylor’s nightclub in Byres Road at around 12.50am on June 29, to deal with a troublesome customer.

On arrival they were met by the bouncers, who had become involved in an altercation with Thompson and were trying to get him out of the premises.

The officers placed Thompson under arrest, at which point he threw himself on the ground across the entrance to the pub, gripped onto the doorframe and began to shout: “Cuff me! Cuff me!” When the two officers tried to get him to stand he began to struggle, refusing to get up and refusing to let go.

Other police officers had to be called to the pub and helped to pull him up and take him outside to a waiting car.

He continued to struggle on the way, flailing his arms, till he was put in the back of the vehicle. However, when a police sergeant got in the front seat, Thompson leaned back, raised his feet and kicked him several times in the back of the head.

Officers again got a hold of him and held him down till he calmed down. He was then taken into custody.

When Thompson’s lawyer, Mr Holliman, stood up to speak at court last week, Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane, presiding commented: “This wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t taken so much to drink, is what you’re going to tell me?” Mr Holliman conceded that, but went on to explain that his client had also been drinking on top of medications he was taking for depression, cystic fibrosis and diabetes, all with “problematic side effects”.

Apparently, he had never been told not to drink alcohol, but only to watch how much he consumed and had not been prepared for the toll it took on him.

The court heard the trouble began when the 24-year-old was approached by bouncers and asked to leave, to which he strongly objected.

When police arrived, “the red mist descended” and he lashed out. The first-time offender was said to be embarrassed by his conduct and genuine in his contrition.

Sheriff McFarlane told Thompson: “I sincerely hope you’ve learned your lesson, and while the medical advice may be to watch what you drink, I hope you’ll take a different view on this following your conviction.” He was ordered to pay a fine of £600.