Teen assault at Venue in Ruthin

Jan 21 2009 by Justine Bailey, Denbigh Visitor

A SIXTH-FORMER who hit a man over the head with a bottle in a nightclub brawl was told on Friday he had come very close to being sent into custody.

At Prestatyn youth court the 16-year-old pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm during the incident at the Venue nightspot in Ruthin on July 12, 2008.

The Prestatyn teenager, said by his solicitor Andy Hutchinson to be a very talented all-round sportsman, was a member of a rugby squad at the nightclub that night.

Prosecutor Wyn Jones told the court that after the youth poured a girl’s drink into his own bottle the girl’s boyfriend took exception and threw half a pint over him.

The 16-year-old and a 17-year-old friend then became involved in a fight with the man, 22-year-old David Whyte, during which Mr Whyte was hit on the head with a bottle. He suffered a cut which needed four stitches.

The 17-year-old denied assault and was bailed until his trial on February 18.

The youth’s father was ordered to pay Mr Whyte £250 in compensation.