A NIGHTCLUB bouncer has been jailed for grabbing a man by the throat and damaging his voice box.

Joshua Thorne, of Normandy Crescent, Oxford, admitted one count of causing actual bodily harm to Louis Duke-Smith on New Year’s Day.

The 21-year-old bouncer was working at the Roppongi nightclub in George Street, Oxford, when he committed the offence at about 2am.

Prosecutor Naomi Smith said Mr Duke-Smith left the club’s VIP area and tried to make his way outside when he ended up arguing with Thorne, who allegedly told him: “I don’t like you lot.”

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Then the bouncer grabbed his victim by the throat in the area of his Adam’s apple, holding him like that for two or three minutes, the barrister said. Miss Perry added that Mr Duke-Smith left the club and called the doctor the following day. He told him to go to the John Radcliffe Hospital, where he had to stay for treatment for two nights.

She said Thorne had caused a fracture to his victim’s left thyroid cartilage and even months later the damage to his voice box has not healed properly.

Miss Perry added that two months later the defendant carried out a further assault inside the club, over which he was sentenced at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.

Stephen Parker, defending, said his client was sorry and knew he should have handled the incident far better.

He said: “He realised that it was not the right job for him and he’s given it up now, following the second incident.”

Recorder Nicholas Goodwin said although it was not an aggravating factor, the second assault showed that Thorne had not learned his lesson after the first incident.

He said: “Your victim still has residual problems with his throat even 11 months on, and he says what happened has affected his confidence.”

He sentenced Thorne to six months in prison yesterday at Oxford Crown Court.


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