A MAN from Rhyl who hit a bar doorman to the head with a pint glass has been jailed.
Mark Swann caused Eryl Hughes cuts to his head and face as a result of the incident at the Front Room bar last year.
Swann, 54, of Meredith Crescent, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (March 6), having previously admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.
Prosecutor Dafydd Roberts said that Swann was at a private party at Front Room, on High Street, on September 14, 2024, when a female who was barred from the premises was asked to leave by Mr Hughes.
She wanted to finish her drink first but Mr Hughes was not prepared to let her do this.
He was then confronted by a male in a blue top, who said he “shouldn’t talk to her like that”, and then by Swann, who picked up a pint glass and smashed it over his head.
Shards of glass also cut the arms of a nearby female.
Closed circuit television footage of the incident was played in court during today’s hearing.
Swann was arrested on September 27 after being identified from the footage, before making no comment in his police interview.
Representing Swann, who had 12 previous convictions for 21 offences, Richard Edwards said his client is “remorseful” and is “riddled with guilt”.
Swann, who was supported by his extended family in court, was said to have been “scared” by the incident.
Mr Edwards said: “He knows it was nobody’s fault but his own. He knows it’s fortunate that the injuries sustained by the victim were not more serious.
“His family are genuinely worried about the change in him since this incident. He had the fright of his life by his behaviour on this particular day.
“Alcohol, as this offence demonstrates, is clearly an issue the defendant needs to resolve.”
Mr Edwards added that Swann is not working due to ill health, and has to attend hospital every four months for a blood transfusion.
Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry told Swann that his behaviour was “quite cowardly”.
He said: “This was a very serious incident of violence and public disorder. You were very fortunate not to be charged with a more serious offence.
“It is simply too serious to suspend (the sentence).”
Source – Rhy Journal
