A YOUNG businessman who left a Burnley clubber in a bloody mess after a ‘bottling’ has walked free from court – because it was decided he did not provoke the violence.

Paul Royal, 27, who has his own joinery firm, may have left victim Christian Harrison with a permanent four-inch scar after the attack at Bar Code, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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But after viewing enhanced CCTV footage of the incident last August, Judge Jonathan Gibson ruled that Mr Harrison could be seen first bumping into Royal in the middle of the dance floor and then swinging a punch at him, the court heard.

Mr Harrison and his friends were removed from the premises and it was only when a passing police patrol saw the victim, that he was taken to hospital for treatment, it was said.

Prosecutor Karen Brooks said that the victim had been left with a visible four-inch scar in his hairline and had suffered nerve damage to his face. Mr Harrison also said that he had become anxious in social situations since the attack.

Defence counsel Mark Stuart said that his client had used ‘excessive self defence’ but there had been some provocation before the blow was struck.

Mr Stuart said that while Royal should not have hit him with the hand holding the bottle, there was a lack of pre-meditation concerning the attack.

Royal, of Clifton Square, Burnley, admitted assaulting Mr Harrison and was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours community service.

The court heard that the victim was off work for three weeks and had submitted a compensation claim of £571 to cover the cost of getting people to cover his shifts.

Passing sentence, Judge Gibson said this figure should be reduced to £285, as the responsibility for the injury being caused was shared. Royal must also pay £250 in court costs.