A bouncer at a Richmond pub pushed a troublesome punter to the ground and punched him several times, a court heard.
Malik Hayyat, 32, was on the door at The Talbot pub in Market Place when the victim was refused entry, York Crown Court was told.
Prosecutor Michael Cahill said that Hayyat “immediately challenged” the victim at the door because the man was apparently barred from the pub.
“He places his hands on (the victim) and it appeared that (the victim) grabbed at the defendant’s hair,” added Mr Cahill.
Hayyat then pushed the man outside the doors and “immediately got the better of (the victim)” who fell to the ground. He then got on top of the victim and punched him several times in the face with both fists.
Another doorman intervened, pulled Hayyat away and the victim left with his friends.
“The incident took place in the street in full view of members of the public in Richmond town centre,” said Mr Cahill.
The victim suffered swelling to the side of his face and a black eye.
Police were called in and brought Hayyat in for questioning. He claimed that the victim was the aggressor.
After being shown video footage of the attack, Hayyat admitted he had used force but in self-defence.
Hayyat, of Asterley Drive, Middlesbrough, was charged with affray but initially denied the offence, only to plead guilty on the day of trial, ostensibly on the basis of using excessive self-defence.
He appeared for sentence today (March 27) aided by an Urdu interpreter.
Mr Cahill said the affray – which occurred at about 11.30pm on a busy Saturday night in August 2024 – was witnessed by many members of the public.
The victim had also been charged with affray, but the prosecution ultimately decided to offer no evidence against him.
Mr Cahill said that Hayyat had never been in trouble before.
Defence barrister Emily Hassell said that Hayatt had since made the decision to leave the security sector.
Judge Simon Hickey said that Hayyat had “lost your temper” on the night in question but that the victim “no doubt did say something to you (before the affray) because you are a man of good character, having never acted like this before or since, so something must have provoked you”.
Mr Hickey agreed that Hayyat had used “excessive self-defence” and noted that the injuries to the victim were only slight.
Hayyat was given a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation-activity days and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.
Source –Richmondshire today
