A bouncer punched a man and broke and dislocated his jaw on his first night working at an Angus nightclub, a court has heard.
Darren Clark (23), who originally appeared on indictment, left Ivo Leibl requiring surgery for the insertion of two titanium plates to reposition and hold his jaw in place.
Clark, of Noran Avenue, Dundee, admitted punching Leibl on the face to his severe injury and permanent impairment at Gravesend, Arbroath, on December 4 2011, while on bail.
Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson said Clark was collected in Dundee around 10pm to begin work at Coast, where he was to be deployed inside the club.
Around 1.30am Leibl and a friend arrived but were refused entry due to the time. Leibl remained a short distance away on the street while two bouncers were on the door.
Ms Anderson said: “The accused had also appeared outside, having just ejected two males from the club moments before.
“The accused was then seen to approach and speak to the complainer as he believed he was urinating against the wall. The accused then turned to return to the door, when the complainer spat at him.
“The accused then turned to the complainer and punched him once to the left side of the face with his right hand. The complainer fell to the ground. However, he did not lose consciousness.
“This was observed by a witness who immediately went to assist and helped him to his feet before approaching the accused and the doormen to challenge them about what had just happened.”
Around 2pm that day Leibl went to Arbroath minor injury unit as he was suffering terrible pain in his jaw and could not eat. He was assessed and advised to get an X-ray at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
At Ninewells it was confirmed that he had suffered a broken and dislocated jaw. He was taken to ward 26 to undergo surgery the next day.
Ms Anderson said: “A statement was taken from the doctor who operated, where it was confirmed that the complainer had suffered a bilateral fracture of the mandible.
“Two titanium plates were inserted in the mandible to reposition and hold the jaw in place. The doctor confirmed that the injury was consistent with a single blow to the face and that the complainer is not likely to suffer any permanent damage or disfigurement as a result.”
A defence agent said Clark believed Leibl was urinating in public against the wall.
“He was outraged by this and confronted him,” he said. “There was an exchange of words and as he was walking away the complainer spat on him.
“He responded with a single blow.”
While his client accepted he should not have punched the man, his submission was there was “a degree of provocation”.
Sheriff Peter Paterson placed Clark on a community payback order for a period of two years with a supervision requirement.
He said the sentence was a direct alternative to custody.