A nightclub bouncer admitted assaulting a customer during a brawl.

Karl Bond, 20, was left with a gash on his forehead and needed seven stitches after a fight with a bouncer outside Stratton's nightclub, in Stratton Way, Abingdon, on June 5.

Bouncer Hugh Perry, 46, of Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, admitted to police he had keys in his hands when he punched Mr Bond, after throwing him and his friends from the club. Mr Bond, who lives in Abingdon, was out with family and friends, who were seeing him off to Northern Ireland.

Didcot magistrates heard a fight broke out inside the club at about 11.30pm, involving Mr Bond's friend, Ben Carter, of Willow Brook, Abingdon, and another reveller.

Mr Bond and his friends were asked to leave.

But as they stood around the club doorway, the court heard the doormen were subjected to racial abuse. A fight broke out after Mr Bond and his friends blocked the doorway, preventing other clubbers from leaving.

Clare Tucker, prosecuting, said: "The defendant punched Mr Bond several times to the head and body.

"Mr Bond was taken to hospital with a gash to his forehead.

"He needed seven stitches to his head and had bruising to his back." Henry Mendus, defending, said his client was assaulted by Mr Bond inside the club, before the fight outside.

Mr Mendus said Perry was a hard-working married man, who was well respected by his colleagues, but said his job was under review as a result of the incident.

Perry was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £150 compensation to Mr Bond with £50 costs.

Story date: Thursday 14 October

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