17 February 2024 , 13:57
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A "lunatic" driver smashed a man's eye socket by knocking him down while causing mayhem outside a nightclub.
Josh Morgan drove his girlfriend's vehicle up and down the street before mounting the pavement and driving towards a number of people.
When a man tried to reach inside and snatch the keys Morgan turned the car and sent him crashing to the ground. He suffered multiple fractures to cheek and eye socket bones, a separation of the jaw joint and a partially dislocated thumb.
A judge told Morgan he could have killed someone in the chaos. But the 25-year-old scaffolder was spared prison and given a suspended sentence.
The incident happened in May of last year outside a club in Swansea, WalesOnline reports. The court was told that violence inside the premises spilt out onto the street. A raging Morgan removed his top and began throwing punches before jumping into his partner's Audi A3 car and driving up and down outside the club, mounting the pavement and driving towards people.
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One member of the crowd tried to reach into the car and grab the ignition keys but the angry driver turned the vehicle in the road and struck him.
Prosecutor Craig Jones said Morgan was then "removed from the vehicle by others present" but continued being angry. The victim was taken to hospital where medics treated him for multiple injuries.
Giles Hayes, defending, said it was "very much out of character" and Morgan is sorry. He has not touched a drop of alcohol since the incident and has a pregnant partner.
Morgan, of Earl Street, Hafod, Swansea, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Judge Huw Rees told Morgan his behaviour had been "puerile". He had used his partner's car as a weapon and could easily have killed someone. He said Morgan was about to have the "responsibility and privilege" of being a parent and that should be his focus rather than "driving around the streets of Swansea like a lunatic".
Morgan was sentenced to 22 months in prison suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, and was banned from driving for two years. He must also pay his victim £3,000 in compensation.