Club assault victim required two operations

Dec 2 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A MAN had two operations for a fractured jaw after he was assaulted outside a popular nightclub in Motherwell.

David Marsella suffered a fracture and dislocation to his jaw after being punched by 24-year-old Charles Millar outside the Mega Bar in the town’s Brandon Street on February 14, this year.

After an unsuccessful operation to insert metal plates into his jaw, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard last week, Mr Marsella had a second operation to remove the plates and had to have his teeth wired together for two months.

At court last Friday, first offender Millar – of Lorne Drive, Motherwell – pleaded guilty to assaulting the complainant by punching and striking him on the head with a belt to his severe injury.

Fiscal depute Louise Beattie told the court Mr Marsella was at Mega Bar with girlfriend Suzanne Murphy and pal Jamie Martin that evening.

Millar was also in the bar at the time.

During the course of the night, Ms Beattie said, there was an altercation between the complainer and the accused in the club, which resulted in Mr Marsella and Mr Martin being ejected from the premises.

“The complainant and the witness Mr Martin stood outside the bar after the incident,” she said.

“The accused went outside and the altercation continued. The accused had a belt wrapped around his knuckle, and he struck Mr Marsella once on the face. The complainant immediately became aware that his jaw was out of alignment.

“He was in considerable pain, had swelling to his face and was bleeding.”

Millar was later traced to his home on February 26 by police officers investigating the incident.

As well as the fracture and dislocation to the right side of his jaw, Mr Marsella suffered cuts to the inside of his mouth.

Millar’s defence agent told the court his client did have an “avenue of escape” before the assault, but chose not to take it.

He added that Millar wasn’t involved in the initial altercation inside the Mega Bar.

Sheriff David Bicket deferred sentence on Millar until January 12, calling for reports.

The accused was granted bail in the meantime.