David Whitney pleads guilty

The comic who headbutted a heckler at the Edinburgh Fringe has been fined £600 after admitting assault.

David Whitney confessed that he ‘over-reacted’ by attacking Andrew Robb at a rowdy late night-gig.

However, he said that he ‘lost his cool’ because he felt in physical danger, rather than as a direct reaction to the barracking he received on stage.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday heard how the 31-year-old was repeatedly heckled during the free show at the Canon's Gait pub on the Royal Mile. After his set he had to pass the culprits, who were drinking at the bar, to get to the exit.

Whitney’s defence lawyer said he feared he was going to be attacked - so got in first.

But he added: ‘That does not lessen the fact that I am incredibly apologetic for what I did and very sorry I have let people down.’

Whitney has been a comic for five years. He worked on Channel 4’s Fonejacker series and was a finalist in the Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year competition in 2007. Originally from Aberdeen, he attended military school in Surrey before studying for an acting degree in London.

Published: 4 Nov 2010