A darts player left a bouncer needing surgery after “lashing out” when he was asked to leave a pub after upsetting two women.
Joshua Bryant, 20, left door supervisor James Griffiths with two fractures to his jaw after punching him in the head while his back was turned at The George pub in Pontypool .
Sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Eleri Rees described the assault as “cowardly”.
The court heard the incident occurred around 1.30am on Sunday, May 8, at the pub in Commercial Street.
Prosecutor Gareth James said the pub was busy as there had been a karaoke night on and a DJ playing.
The court heard the door supervisor was approached by two women who complained about the defendant’s behaviour.
Mr Griffiths spoke to Bryant but had to ask him to leave when his behaviour did not improve.
Drink 'spiked' claim
The prosecutor said: “Mr Griffiths had his back to the defendant who struck a heavy blow to the side of his face, causing a double fracture to his jaw.”
Mr James said the victim immediately knew something was wrong, as his teeth felt misaligned, and he went to hospital.
The court heard he had to have two operations under general anaesthetic to have a metal plate inserted and has not yet been discharged.
Bryant told police officers he had been out with his father and they had been to two pubs before drinking in The George.
He said he had used the karaoke machine but started to feel strange and thought his drink might have been spiked, claiming he could not remember the incident.
The defendant accepted he must have been responsible because his right hand was swollen and apologised, telling officers he was “not that sort of person”.
Happened 'in a flash'
In a victim impact statement Mr Griffiths, a leisure attendant for Caerphilly council , said he still suffers from numbness in his mouth and his confidence has been affected.
The court heard Bryant had no previous convictions but five cautions for offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Susan Ferrier, defending, said her client was a talented darts player who is hoping to find an apprenticeship as a builder.
She said: “He accepts his behaviour was wrong and he should not have reacted in the way he did.
“What he did not do when he lashed out was think of the consequences – it was all over in a flash.”
Punched 'with great force'
Ms Ferrier accepted Bryant was “immature” but said he had taken steps to improve his behaviour, such as giving up alcohol.
She added: “He is clearly someone who has been capable of going off the rails and needs pushing back in the right direction.
“A custodial sentence might push him in the wrong direction.”
Bryant, from School Crescent in Pontypool, pleaded guilty on September 8 to causing grievous bodily harm.
Judge Rees said: “Mr Griffiths turned his back and in a cowardly fashion you punched him with great force to the jaw.”
She said aggravating factors included the fact the victim was in a vulnerable occupation and that the assault happened in a public place.
Bryant was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for a year, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work plus 20 days of a rehabilitation activity.
He was ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation plus a £100 victim surcharge and £250 in costs.
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/darts-player-left-bouncer-double-11958074
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