CCTV catches Shrewsbury nightclub bottle attack

Daniel Grier was caught on CCTV attacking Sian Howells in Source Bar in Barker Street, Shrewsbury.

The footage, which was shown at Shrewsbury Crown Court during a hearing yesterday, showed them pushing each other by the bar next to the dance floor before Grier hit Miss Howells with a bottle.

Grier, 29, of Hills Lane in Shrewsbury, admitted assaulting Miss Howells on December 19 when he appeared at court. He was handed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years by Judge Robin Onions.

Mr Phillip Beardwell, prosecuting, said it was a busy club with loud music.

He said: "Miss Howells said she had been making her way from the smoking area to the dance floor when a male standing by the bar pushed her, so she pushed him back with two hands.

"She said it was the same male that had been pushing her that struck her with something."

The court heard that Grier first told police he had intended to pour the contents of the bottle over Miss Howells but later changed his statement. The bottle did not break during the attack.

Mr Adrian Roberts, for Grier, said: "He didn't go out looking for trouble that night, why the incident escalated that way it did is a mystery to him."

Judge Onions said Grier had a "rather unpleasant criminal record" including common assault, assault causing actual bodily harm, affray, sexual assault and driving offences.

He said: "It is apparent that you were with your friends and it does not appear that you were causing difficulties.

"You were presenting no threat to her and the bottle was not broken.

"With your record you run the risk of being locked up, losing your job, losing contact with your family.

"I think there was a reasonable degree of provocation.

"You are in a situation where you have responsibility now."

As well as the suspended sentence, Grier was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, £500 court costs and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also barred from Source Bar for two years.