A doorman "snapped" and left a drinker with serious injuries after being subjected to vile racist abuse.
Damaras Gordon threw the man out of the bar where he was working due to his rowdy behaviour. But the abusive customer then waited until the security guard had finished his shift and followed him back to his car while continuing to hurl foul insults at him, sparking the dad to knock him out and leave him with broken facial bones and requiring surgery.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday how he had been on duty at Friars Court in Warrington town centre on the evening of June 2 last year. Joanne Moore, prosecuting, described how complainant Samuel Lewis had to be forcibly removed from the premises due to his "drunken behaviour", having refused to leave.
READ MORE: 14 Liverpool politicians had parking fines cancelled through council 'back door'
He then became verbally abusive towards Gordon. As the 34-year-old defendant left the nightclub after work and walked towards his car, Mr Lewis began to follow him and threw a coin at him while saying: "Here's your tip."
The racist then called him a "black b******", after which he responded by punching the man once in the face. This caused him to fall to the ground and hit his head on a signpost and a wall.
Mr Lewis - whom the court heard has several previous convictions for offences including threatening and drunk and disorderly behaviour - suffered "very serious injuries" as a result, including fractures to his facial bones and jaw as well contusions on the brain. He required two operations to fix his broken bones.
Meanwhile, Gordon - of Parkstone Drive in Stretton - returned to the bar to alert his manager and waiting for police to arrive. Ms Moore added: "It would appear Mr Gordon did everything right until he didn't - under extreme provocation, he reacted."
Jim Smith, defending, described the case as "fairly unusual" and told the court that his client had lost his door supervisor's licence following the incident. The volunteer hockey coach now works as a food delivery driver alongside having a call centre job.
Mr Smith said: "This defendant is a good partner and a wonderful father to his children. In every aspect of his life, people have been privileged to know him.
"He is a peaceable man and is not prone to aggression in any way. It is with deep regret that he finds himself in this position.
"The defendant, from the very outset, accepted responsibility. He very much regrets the harm and suffering caused to the victim in this case and wishes he could turn the clock back.
"The exceptionally high degree of provocation, which he has never experienced before in his life, led to a flash of retaliation after a slow burn. The victim in this case was extremely persistent.
"This is an exceptional case, one which is almost a tragedy for this defendant. This defendant, before this day, was a credit to society and hopes to remain so."
Gordon admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm during an earlier hearing. The dad-of-two was handed a two-year community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and a three-month electronically-monitored curfew from 11pm to 6am, and was told to pay court costs of £300.
Sentencing, Recorder David Knifton KC said: "You snapped and responded by turning and punching him once. As a result, he sustained serious injuries.
"There are cases in which victims die as a result of striking the floor. You are, in every sense of the term, a man of good character.
"Testimonials describe you as a hard-working family man and a devoted partner and father. I accept your genuine expressions of remorse.
"This was an impulsive, spontaneous and short-lived assault. You acted under very significant provocation, including having vile racist comments used towards you."
READ NEXT: Woman broke ribs after bullying ex pushed her down the stairs
Dealer used his 'big horrible mate' to enforce £100,000 drug debt
Van driver was carrying 20 bin bags filled with cannabis
Woman caught with £1,000 of crack and heroin in her knickers is jailed
Fallen cocaine kingpin tells court he has no money for lawyers
