A VIOLENT 20-year-old from Weston who fractured a man’s skull in a nightclub attack has escaped a jail sentence.

Daniel Phillips appeared at Bristol Crown Court for a three-day trial, charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent, after lashing out at 42-year-old Peter Davies.

The court had previously heard how an argument erupted between the pair after Mr Davies had exposed himself in Destiny nightclub on May 30.

After a scuffle both men were thrown out of the bar but Phillips, who had drunk more than 10 pints of beer, waited outside the Beach Road nightspot and knocked the victim out with a single punch.

Mr Davies was left unconscious on the floor and Phillips, of Brue Close, was later arrested.

He was found guilty and Judge Carol Hagen gave him a 12-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, a four-month curfew order and 18 months supervision.

Phillips told the judge how he had been on antidepressants after the death of his mother and had ignored advice not to drink alcohol while using them.

Sergeant Pete Land said: “While I understand that people want to have a good time, excess or binge drinking can lead to significant and sometimes unsavoury situations like this.

“If you drink and commit a crime, be it an assault on another person, criminal damage or even urinating in the street, not only could you find yourself being arrested or cautioned, the consequences of your actions will continue to impact your life and not just your health.”

The assault involving Phillips was the final straw for police, who had been called to the nightclub more than 200 times in 18 months to deal with violent behaviour.

As a result the club’s licence was called in for a review last year and the owners volunteered to carry out a major overhaul of the venue.

Since then it has been transformed into Lacosta’s Seaside Bar and Restaurant, and owners Louis and Andreas Macrides say they have not had a single incident since the refit.

Sgt Land added: “I recognise that they have taken a brave step by changing the focus of their business in the way that they have.

“It is no longer the main focus of our patrols as it once was and I am confident that they can continue to build on their existing custom whilst maintaining the standards that they have set themselves.”