A labourer has been locked up for a glass attack in a Colchester nightclub.

David Fuller, 20, was yesterday told by a Chelmsford Crown Court judge the injuries his victim received were some of the worst he had seen.

James Beadles needed 15 stitches, a blood transfusion and spent three days in hospital after Fuller severed an artery in his neck with a glass.

Judge Ben Pearson sent Fuller to a young offenders' institution for two years.

"This was a totally unprovoked attack," the judge told Fuller, of Forest Road, Colchester.

Fuller denied but was convicted on a charge of maliciously wounding Mr Beadles following a trial last month. He denied and was cleared on the more serious charge of grevious bodily harm with intent.

The trial heard how Mr Beadles was at the Club Forin in Magdalen Street on April 19 when he overheard Fuller making a comment about a barmaid's chest.

He approached Fuller in the toilet and said the remark had been unnecessary before going to wash his hands.

But the trial heard how he was hit with a glass when he turned around and the injury severed an artery in his neck.

Fuller denied making any comments about the barmaid and claimed Mr Beadles had spoken to him in an aggressive manner.

He said he had meant to throw his drink over him but had extended his arm too far and hit him with the glass.

Geoffrey Pringle, mitigating, said the offence had been out of character and had taken place at a time when Fuller had drunk too much.

Published Thursday November 7, 2002

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