'Superman punch' broke man's jaw in two places at Newport nightclub

Jacob Flavin, 21, was in Central Square nightclub in March last year, when rowdy dancing is said to have got out of hand, and he struck Daniel Koziega.

Mr Koziega was taken to hospital and needed two plates inserted into his jaw.

Flavin, of Yew Tree Meadow, Hadley, Telford, denies the charge of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Koziega on March 19, 2016.

Opening the trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, prosecuting barrister Kevin Jones told the jury the incident took place in the early hours of the morning, when two groups of males were jumping into each other and jostling on the nightclub’s dance floor.

Mr Jones said it was all in good spirits, until Flavin launched a punch at the victim, causing him to fall backwards. Flavin walked away, but was later identified, and remained silent when being interviewed by police.

The jury were shown the footage of the busy nightclub, and Mr Jones said: “The groups were jostling and jumping into each other, it was a bit of banter, and for whatever reason the defendant took exception and took the opportunity to strike out and punch at Mr Koziega. He used unlawful force which broke the victim’s jaw.”

Giving evidence, Mr Kozaiga told the jury he was out with friends who used to work with at a military barracks where he was based. On his night out he told the court he had drunk nine to 12 pints of lager, was intoxicated but was aware of his surroundings, and fully in control.

He said he was dancing with four or five people he had never seen before.

He said: “Just before the incident I had been dancing with four to five people and it had been jolly, everyone was jumping into each other and there was no malice involved. My other to friends were talking to other people at the time.

“I was pushed back, jumped back into someone, then at that point the defendant came towards me and at the last moment struck me to the jaw.” Mr Koziega told the court Flavin jumped and punched him, calling it a ‘Superman punch,’ dislodging a tooth and causing him to start bleeding. He added: “The other people in his group were shocked and surprised at what they had seen.

“It got a little bit out of hand, and went too far.

“I’ve been involved where people have danced like this in clubs before, but I’ve never been hit.”

The victim then went to Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital at 3.15am, where he had two plates in the right and left side of his jaw.

Being questioned by defending barrister Danny Smith, the victim said the dancing was referred to as ‘moshing’ where people jump and bump into each other to the music.

Mr Smith told the jury the situation had become inflamed, and alleged it was the victim who became aggressive, becoming too boisterous and stating he was asked to leave following the incident.

Mr Kozaiga admitted to pushing the defendant in the dancing and pushing known as ‘moshing’ but denied being aggressive.

Mr Smith said: “The bouncer kicked you out because enough was enough and things got out of hand.”

The trial continues.