Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Clubgoer left with metal plates in jaw
An unprovoked attack in a Dundee nightclub left a reveller needing metal plates in his jaw for life.
Paul Henry, 27, of Clepington Road, was jailed for 15 months by Sheriff Alastair Carmichael after he admitted the attack, which happened in Club Tropicana on October 2 last year.
The sheriff court heard Lee Bennett had to undergo surgery to have his jaw put back into place after it was smashed in the assault.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court: “The complainer was on a night out with friends at Club Tropicana and the accused was there at a similar time.
“The accused was in a seated area and the complainer was standing nearby.
“At around 2am, the accused got up and approached the complainer and, without warning, punched him on the face. The accused’s friend then grabbed him and pulled him away.
“Police found the complainer and he was obviously injured.”
Ms Robertson added that Mr Bennett had to undergo surgery to have his jaw put back i nto place, being fitted with metal plates in his jaw, which will be there for life.
Solicitor Jim Laverty said neither he nor Henry wanted to minimise the seriousness of what was an unprovoked attack.
However, he asked the sheriff to consider a non-custodial sentence due to the effect prison would have on his client’s current and future employment prospects.
He also claimed that jailing him would have a negative impact on other family members.
However, Sheriff Carmichael said Henry couldn’t avoid jail given his violent past.
The sheriff told Henry: “I take account of what your solicitor said, but this was an unprovoked attack in a licensed premises and the effect was a broken jaw and broken teeth.
“The plates and screws required to repair the damage will remain in place for life.
“This is your third conviction for assault and I can see no alternative to a custodial sentence.”