Poker pro Thomas Ward pleads guilty to assaulting police officer
A professional poker player has admitted punching a female police officer and repeatedly trying to bite another officer. The incidents were part of a drunken brawl outside Grosvenor Casino in Aberdeen, Scotland, the News & Journal reported.
Thomas Ward, 36, who has a total winnings of $515,255 in live tournaments, told Aberdeen Magistrates' Court through his lawyer that he was "very drunk" and "deeply ashamed" at the time.
Ward and his father, Mark Ward, 63, tried to enter the casino around 11:24 p.m. After a night of drinking and live music. Two security guards refused them entry because they were drunk. That's when "a situation arose," prosecutors said.
Thomas Ward grabbed a bouncer by the waist and tried to pull him to the floor but failed, the court heard. As the two men fought, Mark Ward grabbed one of the bouncer's pigtails, pulled it out and threw it into his face.
Resisting Arrest
Two police officers rushed to the scene and tried to speak to Thomas Ward, but he ran away. As police pursued him, he began waving his arms and punching officers in the face.
Police managed to throw him to the ground, whereupon a struggle ensued as officers tried to subdue him with shackles. During the fight, Ward attempted to bite an officer multiple times.
Prosecutors said the officer suffered injuries from Ward's punch and a swollen nose.
Ward admitted one count of assault, two counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of resisting arrest.
His father admitted one count of assault.
Strange Behavior
"It's a strange thing," Thomas Ward's lawyer Christopher Maitland said, reflecting on his client's attempt to attack the bouncer. “The bouncer was much taller than Mr Ward and attempts to get him to the floor were always unsuccessful.
Maitland went on to say that Ward has been unable to play poker for fear of litigation. Maitland added that his client had accepted the assault charges and was now keen to return to professional gambling.
Sheriff Nigel Cooke told Thomas Ward as he fined him a total of £840: "In my opinion you caused this trouble and allowed your My father was involved." He also criticized Mark Ward for "poor judgment."
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Source: www.casino.org
