Clubber stamped on bar worker's face

6:21am Tuesday 13th May 2008

A binge drinker who smashed a man's face by stamping on his head in a Bradford bar has been jailed for six years.

Glass collector Younis Ellison suffered five fractures and spent six days in hospital after the vicious attack in Funky's Nightclub in Ivegate in the city centre.

Andrew Murgatroyd, 29, of Barkston Walk, Allerton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to wounding Mr Ellison with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm on December 15 last year.

After the case, Funky's Nightclub licensee Derek Greenaway welcomed the six-year sentence.

He said Mr Ellison's injuries were the worst he had seen in 15 years working in the pub and club trade. Mr Greenaway said: "It is about time the courts took a very strict line with people who attack bar staff in Bradford city centre and elsewhere.

"It is a job they are all doing to pay the bills and everyone wants a safe environment."

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that Murgatroyd had walked up to Mr Ellison from behind as he collected glasses near the bar. He knocked him down and stamped once on the right side of his face.

Prosecutor Anthony Moore said Mr Ellison suffered fractures to his skull, eye sockets, cheek and nose.

The bricklayer, working part-time in the bar, needed surgery at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

He was off work for six weeks and suffered deafness throughout that time.

Judge Roger Scott considered sentencing Murgatroyd to an indefinite period behind bars after learning he had convictions for affray and battery.

He was classed by his probation office as a high risk' when he had been drinking, but the judge drew back from an Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection after reading a letter from Murgatroyd.

The court heard he weaned himself off drugs but began binge drinking at weekends.

Murgatroyd wrote a personal explanation to the judge telling of his regret and remorse.

He said he was very drunk when he attacked Mr Ellison and had no recollection of the incident.

He had attended alcohol workshops in custody and understood he must quit alcohol completely.

He had given talks on his life as a drug addict to groups in the Bradford area. Murgatroyd was described as "a model individual" when sober.

Mr Greenaway told how he was in his office at Funky's Nightclub when the attack happened.

"I saw it on the security cameras. Everyone was diving round trying to help." he said.

"The door staff detained the attacker until the police arrived and arrested him."

Mr Greenaway said Mr Ellison had been unable to face returning to work at the club.

"Licensees and bar staff are vulnerable to this type of attack from drunken people. This sentence sends out a message that behaviour like this won't be tolerated," he said.

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