Metal barriers wielded in 'chaotic' mass brawl outside Doncaster nightclub

Tomasz Bowtruczuk and Tony Moore began jostling and throwing punches at the entrance to Kooky nightclub, on Silver Street, Doncaster, just before 4am, on Saturday, February 9, last year.

CCTV showed Bowtruczuk brandishing a pole before Moore hurled parts of barriers at door staff, prosecutor Neil Coxon told Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

Police detained Moore at the scene, but Bowtruczuk, who left before officers arrived, was traced after an appeal.

The deputy manager described the incident as "one of the most serious that I have seen. Several members of the door staff were injured."

The court heard Bowtruczuk has convictions for drink driving in 2017 and production of cannabis from June 2018, for which he received a 12 month community order. He was convicted in Poland of "grievous bodily injury" and "battery with dangerous items" in 2015.

Moore has convictions for possession of drugs in 2009 and motoring offences in 2013, for which he received ten months in a Young Offenders Institution, and threatening behaviour from 2014.

Edward Moss, for Moore, said his client deserved credit for an early guilty plea and drew attention to prison conditions under the lockdown and delays to the case.

"He didn't instigate the violence but foolishly became involved. He is thoroughly ashamed."

Amy Earnshaw said Bowtruczuk, a window-cleaner, was "caught up in the shoving by others."

"Racist comments were made towards him. A member of the door staff brandished a hammer.

"He accepts that when he picked up the metal pole his actions went beyond what was reasonable, but no injuries were caused.

"His eye-lid was sliced to the eye and he sustained an orbital bone fracture."

Bowtruczuk, 32, of Askern Road, Bentley, Doncaster, and Moore, 26, of Stockhill Road, Doncaster, both pleaded guilty to affray.

Judge Graham Reeds QC told them the episode involved many people and was "chaotic and frightening."

Bowtruczuk received 12 months, suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work, and Moore received nine months, suspended for 12 months, with 160 hours of unpaid work.

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here – www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions – for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online. Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.