A MAN has been handed a suspended prison sentence as a “mercy” to his family after an assault on a bar doorman.

Thomas Fitzgerald, of Round Bush, Great Totham, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court after admitting grievous bodily harm.

The 40-year-old was at a bar in Chelmsford in October 2019 when he committed the “appalling” offence, the court head.

Fitzgerald’s nephew had been removed from the bar where they were drinking by a member of door staff.

He spotted his nephew and in a moment where Fitzgerald told police he was defending him, launched an “impulsive and short lived assault” on the doorman.

He struck the member of door staff with a bottle of Ciroc vodka to his head.

The victim fell to the floor and was later taken to hospital where he was found to have a 3cm wound to his forehead.

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Hospital staff also discovered bleeding and bruises around his brain, and fractures on his skull, the court heard.

After the assault, the victim remained in hospital for three days and was back in work after two weeks with permanent scarring.

Nicholas Wayne, mitigating, told the court Fitzgerald is a man of good character.

He explained the defendant was overworking at that time, under a lot of pressure and the incident was out of character for him.

Fitzgerald admitted what Judge David Turner QC called an “ugly assault”.

Sentencing, Mr Turner described how the defendant got involved in a “rumpus” with door staff.

He added: “In the course of that rumpus you inexplicably and out of character walked up behind the victim and struck him with a bottle on the right side of his head.

“The photographs of that cut are shocking.”

He recognised Fitzgerald had remorse, no previous convictions, glowing character references and an impressive work record.

Mr Turner handed him a sentence of 19 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months as a “mercy” to him and his family.

He has been ordered to pay £5,000 in compensation to the victim and £1,200 prosecution costs.

He must also complete 30 rehabilitation requirement days and 200 hours unpaid work.