Bouncer ‘lost control’ and put customer in hospital

A DOORMAN fractured a clubgoer’s arm by dragging him over a security barrier and assaulting him after ejecting him from the venue earlier that night.

Andrew Hurley, 48, initially claimed he acted in self-defence, but later accepted his actions – which left the man needing hospital treatment – went beyond reasonable force.

Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Eleri Rees said: “It is somewhat inexplicable that an experienced doorman should lose control in this way.”

The court heard the incident happened at Sax Bar and Nightclub in Bridgend in the early hours of Sunday, February 19.

Paul Hewitt, prosecuting, said an argument broke out on the dance floor at around 2.45am and staff tried to eject Shay Jones. The court heard Mr Jones was escorted outside by four members of staff, but later tried to get back in.

Prosecutors said “words were exchanged”, then Hurley pulled Mr Jones over a barrier and on to the floor. Mr Jones went to hospital later that day and was found to have a fracture to his right arm. He had to have an operation and was discharged five days later.

Hurley was arrested and stated he was acting in self-defence, but prosecutors said his behaviour went “far beyond” this.

The court heard Mr Jones worked as a labourer and was unable to get employment due to his injury.

Hurley, from Hafod Street in Port Talbot, initially denied inflicting grievous bodily harm, but changed his plea on the day his trial was due to start. He was given a 15-month jail term, suspended for a year, and ordered to complete 200 hours’ unpaid work. He must pay £4,000 in compensation and a £140 victim surcharge.