A POLICEMAN has resigned from his job of 28 years after being found guilty of punching a teenage waiter in the face.
Colin Crompton, 51, pushed 17-year-old Thomas Oades to the floor and delivered "a number of punches" before being dragged off him, a court heard.
The teenager was on a Christmas night out with colleagues from Winteringham Fields, the world-renowned restaurant near Scunthorpe.
The assault came about when, following minor disturbances, Mr Oades was asked to leave a pub.
The court heard that Crompton – who was off-duty – prevented Mr Oades from re-entering, and they fought.
Crompton, who lives in Winteringham, was found guilty of assault after an eight-day trial and sentenced at Grimsby Magistrates' Court.
District Judge Daniel Curtis said he went beyond his public duty and his 12-month community order sent out the message that a police officer is not "beyond the law".
Crompton has served with the police in Grimsby in the past but has, more recently, worked for the Humberside force at Scunthorpe.
He received a commendation in 1999 for his commitment and dedication to his work during a murder trial.
The incident happened on December 18 last year in the Bay Horse pub, in Winteringham.
Summing up, Judge Curtis said: "On gaining entry to the pub, they were told they had to behave themselves."
He said witnesses described the atmosphere as "tense" and that a series of minor disagreements took place.
Mr Oades was asked to leave by the landlady, but tried to return through a side entrance that, at the time, was being blocked by Crompton.
Judge Curtis said: "Thomas Oades felt a tug on him by the defendant, who told him to get out.
"He was grabbed by Crompton who had both hands around his neck and the victim found it hard to breathe."
Following the attack, Mr Oades was "staggering through consciousness" and was bleeding.
But Crompton called the police, claiming he had been the victim of an assault.
He told officers: "I asked him to leave and he ripped my glasses off and he punched me in the genitalia so I punched him in the face with a clenched fist."
Judge Curtis added it was likely that Crompton received some "cheek or attitude" from the complainant, but described his actions as "unreasonable".
Crompton, whose wife is a serving officer, was suspended by Humberside Police after allegations were made by Mr Oades.
Jessica Strange, prosecuting, said: "Even a police officer is subject to reasonable force and the punches delivered go far beyond that."
Olivia Checa-Dover, mitigating, described Crompton's role as "peacemaker" and said the biggest punishment Crompton faced was having to resign from a job he took great pride in.
She said: "This was a situation where things were bubbling. He went outside and identified himself as a police officer.
"He was blocking the door and Mr Oades was trying to push past him and tried to climb over his arm and he then had to react. Can you be sure that he did not fear for his safety?"
Crompton was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £1,500 and pay £500 in compensation to his victim.
