A Glasgow woman, Amy Montgomery, 28, has pleaded guilty to charges of assault and directing homophobic verbal abuse at a police officer in an incident that took place at the LGBTQ+-friendly club, AXM Glasgow, in February 2022.
Assault in the Club
Montgomery’s actions involved assaulting club patron Aimee Henderson after a confrontation had arisen. Henderson had attempted to intervene when Montgomery aggressively grabbed a friend’s hair, resulting in her friend, Kirstin Breslin, being pulled to the ground. Montgomery’s violent reaction to Henderson’s intervention led to her kicking Henderson in the head, rendering her unconscious for a brief period.
Prosecutor Jessica McGowan explained, “As Montgomery was being pulled off Miss Henderson, she kicked her to the head while she was lying on the ground. As a result, Miss Henderson lost consciousness for 60 seconds.” This attack also left lasting damage to Breslin, who is now struggling to regrow her hair.
Homophobic Verbal Abuse
Upon the arrival of the police at the scene, Montgomery continued her aggressive behavior by spitting at an officer and using derogatory and homophobic language. She directed slurs at Henderson, further exacerbating the distressing situation.
Legal Proceedings
Montgomery, a single parent, appeared in Glasgow Sheriff Court, where she acknowledged the severity of her actions. Her defense attorney, James Arrol, explained that the incident occurred on “the first evening that she had out following the birth of one of her children.” Montgomery’s sentencing has been deferred until December, pending background reports.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for inclusivity and respect within LGBTQ+ spaces and underscores the importance of addressing hate-fueled incidents to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all clubgoers.
