Telford salesman hit nightclub dancer over the head with bottle

Ryan Whitehead escaped an immediate jail sentence after carrying out the attack following a row on a night out.

Whitehead, from Telford, hit Luke Stevens over the head with a glass bottle after Mr Stevens fell into him while dancing in Pussycats nightclub in Wellington.

Miss Katie Price, prosecuting, told the town's magistrates court: "Luke Stevens was dancing and swung into the defendant.

"He was seen to hold the glass bottle over Mr Stevens' head and the glass shattered causing cuts and bruises to the witnesses.

"The defendant was identified by the police as the man causing all the trouble."

The smashed bottle caused a one-and-a-half inch gash on the side of Mr Stevens' head, the Telford magistrates were told.

Fragments of the glass caused cuts to two others who were on the dancefloor, Lauren Carroll and Michael Balshaw.

Miss Price said Whitehead 19, of Corfield Crescent, Oakengates, also bit another party-goer, Sam Muscott, on the side of his neck as partygoers tried to restrain him.

Shakeel Ahmed, for Whitehead, said his client's recollection of the night was somewhat hazy, and said everyone involved had been drinking.

Mr Ahmed said: "He was drinking from a glass bottle but he doesn't remember hitting anyone with it but accepts the witness statements.

"He does not have any issues with alcohol."

Whitehead admitted one count of actual bodily harm and three counts of assault.

He was sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for a year. He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work, and given a 12 month supervision order.

Miss Price said Whitehead was also ordered to pay compensation to the injured parties.

Luke Stevens, who the actual bodily harm charge related to, was awarded £100, while Mr Carroll, Mr Balshaw and Mr Muscott were all awarded £50 each. Whitehead was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and £80 victim surcharge.