Drunk Coldstream Guardsman who protects the King headbutted security guard down road from Windsor Castle
A DRUNK Coldstream Guardsman head butted and hit a security guard in a pub punch up just round the corner from Windsor Castle.
Lance Sergeant Thomas Kivlin, 28, was in his military uniform when he became part of a group argument in a bar.
The soldier was based at Victoria Barracks at the time of the attack and part of a regiment tasked with protecting the monarch.
An Army spokesperson told The Sun that his offence “falls short of the behaviours expected by soldiers” and he would be considered for disciplinary action.
During the incident in August last year, the manager and door staff went over to try to calm things down but Kivlin refused to go outside for air when it was suggested.
He then head butted and struck the nose of security guard Joe Barrett.
Two guards tried to remove him and a rugby-scrum like tussle occurred to the door, when Kivlin then put Mr Barrett in a headlock.
He freed himself and then the defendant ran off through the town and was seen in his barracks after the incident.
He was identified as being from the Victoria Barracks – less than a mile from Windsor Castle – because he was in uniform when he committed the offence.
The victim only suffered scratching to the neck and swelling to the earlobe, East Berkshire magistrates’ court was told.
Kivlin was based with the Coldstream Guards, which have a principal role of protecting the Monarchy, in Windsor when the incident unfolded at The Old Ticket Hall in August.
He has since moved to the Wellington Barracks in London.
Prosecutor Tina Flannery said Kivlin admitted the headbut but thought he was acting in self-defence as he didn’t realise Mr Barrett was security.
She added that Kivlin, of previous good character, “feared he was going to be attacked himself”.
Mr Paul Turnbull, defending, told the court that Kivlin had been trained to be aggressive, which flared up in public after a drink.
He told the court: “The Army trains these young men to do a particular job. Fortunately their behaviour has improved immensely in the local community but occasionally it flares up.
“Combine a young man so trained with alcohol, occasionally they will misinterpret a situation.” He added: “He wants to continue working for the community.”
But Presiding Justice Mr Paul Wassell told Kivlin: “You let everyone down. If you can’t take a drink and be pleasant, don’t drink. You are no different to any other member of the public when you are with the public.
“They won’t think ‘he’s a soldier’, they will think ‘he’s a violent man’.”
Kivlin pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was ordered to pay £1,160 in fines, costs, victim surcharges and compensation. It must be paid in full within 28 days.
An Army Spokesperson said: “We can confirm Lance Sergeant Kivlin was found guilty of Assault by beating.
“Assault falls short of the behaviours expected by soldiers serving in the British Army, and all criminal convictions are immediately considered by the Army for disciplinary action.”