An 'intoxicated' man punched a nightclub bouncer in Swindon town centre after being refused entry.

Jake Morgan, of Somerville Road, appeared in the dock at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, August 8.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of common assault.

Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, told the court that an argument broke out with door staff at the Power Lounge on Bridge Street in the early hours of March 23 this year, which turned violent.

He said: “At 12.45am, a man came to the door and was denied entry because he was intoxicated and struggling with his speaking. He constantly asked for entry and remained outside near the smoking area, not causing any issues.

”He then tried to go around one of the other door supervisors and open the door. They moved him away. He squares up to another door supervisor, then [the victim] moves him back, telling him ‘There’s no need for it’.

”He continued to mouth off, not making a great deal of sense. He squared up to another doorman.

Ballinger continued: ”This time, he is pushed away and falls onto his backside. He asked ‘Did you enjoy doing that?’ and the victim replied ‘Not really but you approached me and I felt threatened.’

"A minute passes, then all of a sudden he connects to the ride side of [the victim's] face, causing swelling and red marks, and causing the door supervisor to stumble back.

"He tries to run away and is chased and detained until police arrive."

The victim said the incident was "annoying", adding that Morgan's actions were "mindless" and described the attack as "a sucker punch to my head which could have caused some problems, all because he was not allowed into the club".

When interviewed by police, Morgan said he did not remember much but believed he was being attacked and tried to defend himself. 

The defendant had consumed more than 10 beers, some spirits, and cocaine before trying to enter the Power Lounge.

Mark Glendenning, defending, said: "He was rightly refused entry to the club but unfortunately, when you have beer goggles on, you are not reasonable.

"They pushed him and he fell to the floor, he felt [the punch] was an instant reaction... but accepts that was not the case and apologised to the door staff.

"He has been there before and not had any problems, and has a good relationship with the door staff."

Morgan must pay £50 compensation and £85 in court costs.

In 2016, he was jailed for an assault outside the Casbah nightclub.