Gay Derbyshire man hit bouncer with bag because he thought he was being homophobic

Daley Roberts admitted common assault when he appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 3.

The court was told that Roberts, aged 31, of New Lane, Hilcote, Alfreton, had been drinking in the Boundary Lodge, in Broadmeadows, South Normanton, with his husband when the incident occurred on July 14 last year.

The court heard that Roberts had felt uncomfortable by remarks made by other customers, and had called the doorman a ‘kn******’ as he left the premises.

When he was challenged by the bouncer, Roberts had swung the bag, hitting him in the face, before the member of door staff had punched the defendant several times and placed him in a headlock.

Roberts denied deliberately spitting as the staff member, saying that and spit that came out of his mouth was accidental, as he was struggling to breath at the time.

Mitigating, John Wilford said that Roberts had also reported the incident to police, believing that it was a hate crime.

The doorman retaliated and hit him three times and got him in a headlock. The situation was then diffused by his husband, but it’s clear that they perceived that the behaviour in the club was discriminatory towards them.”

Roberts was given a six-month community order to include six rehabilitation days. He was also ordered to pay a £162 fine, £500 costs, a £90 victim surcharge and £100 compensation.