Gym owner accused of organising attack

AN Ipswich gym owner has been accused of organising a group beating at a nightclub.

Mark Lockwood was smashed over the head with a glass bottle and had his arms held tight while punches and kicks were rained on him Ipswich Crown Court heard.

The Oaks gym owner, Ian Davey, has denied unlawful wounding.

Andrew Shaw, prosecuting, said that not only was Davey involved in the beating and had actually head-butted Mr Lockwood but he instigated the attack which took place in the gents toilets at Pals nightclub.

He said: “The Crown says not only was he part of a group beating but he was the ring leader.”

Mr Shaw told the jury at the start of the four day trial that Davey entered the Dogs Head Street nightclub with his girlfriend Helen Hughes on August 26 2006.

He said CCTV showed the 46-year-old of Eustace road, Ipswich beckoning four “Kosovan looking men” and Ms Hughes into the gents.

Mr Shaw said Mr Lockwood was standing at the urinal doing his trousers up when he was attacked from behind.

He said: “He was struck a hard blow from behind with a bottle and this caused to fall forward and hit his head on the tiles in front of him.”

Mr Lockwood told police he turned round and saw Davey and Ms Hughes, who he knew, and a group of strangers.

He said Davey told him “tell Nigel Lewis to stay away from our pub” and Davey then indicated towards Ms Hughes.

Mr Shaw said: “He was then repeatedly punched and struck by several men. His arms were held tight and he was struck across the head by a bottle which smashed and he was head-butted by Mr Davey.”

When Mr Lockwood, an Ipswich pub and club bouncer, came round he was being helped by a Pals doorman. He suffered two head wounds which needed stitches, a broken nose and he was badly bruised.

Mr Shaw said Davey lied to the police following the assault stating that he had arrived at the club alone, he had spent the evening there alone and he'd gone to the gents alone.

The trial continues.