A MAN has been sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence after admitting that he hit a pub doorman with a metal pole.

The incident happened on the evening of December 21, just outside the Swan pub in Stourport.

Carl Hyde, aged 36, admitted a charge of wounding arising from the incident when he appeared in front of magistrates in May this year.

And yesterday he appeared at Worcester Crown Court to be sentenced for the offence.

The court heard that Hyde, of Broom Crescent, Kidderminster, had been in the pub with friends, and they were on the way out when he became embroiled in a confrontation with doorman Gareth Rodway.

Prosecutor Rebecca Wade told the court that Hyde had been standing close to the doorway, when Mr Rodway asked him to move away to keep the doorway clear.

She said: “The doorway has to be kept unobstructed for health and safety reasons, and Mr Rodway was acting in the interest of the public by asking Mr Hyde to move way from it.”

Hyde left the area, but then returned and picked up a metal pole holding up a rope cordoning off an alleyway, and swung it once at Mr Rodway’s head and upper body.

The court hear the blow left the victim with a cut on his forehead, extensive bruising on his arm, and left him with a lack of confidence about doing his job as a doorman.

Hyde had not appeared before a court for 12 years, but before then he had been up on charges of battery, affray and public order offences.

John Maxwell, for Hyde, said that he was working two jobs to provide for his family, and his behaviour on the night was out of character.

“He has very little memory of the incident and was appalled and remorseful when he was told what he had done,” he said.

Hyde was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was also told to play compensation of £500 to Mr Rodway and costs of £340.