Telford nightclub manager suffered broken jaw in disturbance
A Telford nightclub manager had his jaw broken during an brawl, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.
Manager Ben McGraw suffered the injury at Pussycats nightclub in Wellington.
Benjamin Couch, 30, of Trench, Telford, had already admitted affray at an earlier hearing.
Miss Siobhan Collins, prosecuting, told the court that the incident happened at the Pussycats on September 10 last year.
Mr McGraw had asked Couch to leave because of his behaviour and he was pushed by the defendant.
During the brawl that followed, Mr McGraw received a punch that fractured his jaw.
Mr Kevin Jones, for Couch, said his client had always denied punching Mr McGraw and was not charged with assault.
He had admitted a push in self defence, he said.
He added that although he had a long record he was now addressing his problems with depression and alcohol.
Judge Jim Tindall said Couch had served several terms in prison but had not been given a chance of a suspended sentence for about 10 years.
“You now seem to be addressing your problems and there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation,” he said.
Couch was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to carry out a six-month alcohol treatment order and ordered to pay £500 compensation and £100 costs.
