Domingos Pestana Antonio (37), of Wesley Street, admitted committing the grave and criminal assault at the top of the stairs in the Havana nightclub by punching the victim three times to the side of the head.
The court heard that the victim was also wearing a leg brace, which was described as a ‘full plaster cast’ on his leg but that description was challenged by defence lawyer Advocate Rui Tremoceiro.
Centenier Peter Garrett said that the offence was committed on Saturday 2 December as people were queueing to leave the club at 2.30 am.
He said that the doormen saw the defendant throw three punches to the side of the head of the victim in an unprovoked attack.
The Centenier said that the club staff took the victim to a room and ushered the defendant out. Centenier Garrett said that the door staff saw blood coming from the ear of the victim.
The court was told that the victim had previously suffered from a brain injury and had concussion after the attack. The court heard that because of his pre-existing brain injury he had been advised not to play contact sports. The Centenier said that doctors at Accident and Emergency told him to be very careful in case he suffered a seizure as a result of the punches to the head.
When the defendant was questioned about why he singled out the victim, he told police that a man pushed him when he was on the dance floor. The Centenier said that Antonio believed the push to be on purpose and said he recognised the victim as the man who had pushed him as they were leaving the club.
Centenier Garrett said: ‘He told officers he did not want to hit the victim in the face as he thought that would cause an injury. However, the defendant said that the man needed to know that he could not push people around.’
As part of his bail conditions, Antonio was banned from licensed premises but was given consent to go to Chambers Bar in Mulcaster Street on a Tuesday evening to attend a dance class. However, he was warned he should not drink while he was there.
The case was adjourned until 1 May, when Antonio will be sentenced.
