A 20-YEAR-old engineer headbutted a man in a nightclub courtyard after finding out that his ex-girlfriend was in a new relationship.

Magistrates heard that Daniel Hallett, of Basin Road, Worcester, attacked Jack Godwin in Bushwackers club.

The court heard that the 20-year-old had been drinking as a way of dealing with his depression and could not remember the assault.

Shafquat Reaz, prosecuting, said: “At 1am they were both in Bushwackers with friends.

“Both had been drinking, both were stood outside in the courtyard area.

“The defendant stepped forward and headbutted him [Godwin] once to the face. It caused him an immediate nosebleed and pain and soreness to his face and mouth region.

“The defendant was escorted out by door staff, spoken to by police and arrested.”

Judith Kenney, defending, said: “He has no recollection of it at all.

“He split up with his girlfriend four to six months prior. He had been with her for three years.

“He found out she had formed a fresh relationship just before the incident.”

Ms Kenney said the defendant had been off work with depression, before the attack.

She added: “He said that while he was depressed he turned to drink as a crux to assist him. He started to drink heavily to drown his sorrows.

“He doesn’t know why he did what he did. He’s fortunate the injuries were not more serious.”

A probation service worker said the defendant, who has no previous convictions, has worked in local schools, encouraging youngsters to take an interest in maths and science, and volunteered at a local youth club.

They added that his appearance in court was the first time he had been out of the house in weeks, due to his anxiety and depression.

The court heard that Hallett’s grandparents had both recently been diagnosed with cancer.

The full-time engineer, who completed an apprenticeship at his company, pleaded guilty to the assault, which took place on March 9.

Worcester Magistrates Court fined him £403 and told him to pay £135 in costs, an £85 victim surcharge and £100 in compensation, on April 4.

Mr Knight, chair of the bench, said: “Headbutting is something that can and does lead to very substantial damage to a person, you are lucky to get away with what you did.”