Resolven rugby player attacks club committee member

A rugby player punched a veteran committee member unconscious in a clubhouse attack, a court has heard. Nathan Davies hit his victim in the face causing the man to crash to the floor, lose consciousness, and fracture an ankle in the fall. Swansea Crown Court heard Davies was allowed to continue playing for the club following the assault but was banned from attending the clubhouse for nine months. The 31-year-old defendant's advocate said his client had played rugby at a senior level for many years and there was "no suggestion he was a violent man on or off the pitch". Brian Simpson, prosecuting, told the court that the incident took place at Resolven Rugby Club on July 19 last year, and said that the complainant, Gareth Jenkins, was a committee member at the club while the defendant, Davies, was a player. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter He said on the evening in question Mr Jenkins was in the clubhouse and overheard Davies' grandfather complaining about the running of the club. He said Mr Jenkins moved to put his hand on the grandfather's arm but the grandfather pulled it away. The court heard that the interaction was witnessed by Davies who approached the committee member and took hold of him "by the neck area" before punching the 65-year-old to the face, causing him to lose consciousness and fall to the floor. The prosecutor said the victim subsequently went to hospital with swelling to the forehead but a CT scan showed no injuries to the skull or brain. The complainant also had swelling to the ankle caused by the fall. The court heard Mr Jenkins was discharged from hospital but continued to suffer ankle pain and was subsequently readmitted to care where an examination found a fracture to a bone. The prosecutor said a few days after the incident Davies sent a text message to the complainant apologising for his actions and expressing his remorse. He said Davies told Mr Jenkins that when he saw an altercation between him and his grandfather he behaved in a way that went too far. In his subsequent police interview the defendant answered "no comment" to all questions asked. In an impact statement read to the court by the prosecution barrister, the vicitm said he had been left suffering with anxiety and trouble sleeping as a result of the assault, and was receiving counselling. He said he had been involved with the club for 50 years and feels "intimidated" by the fact that Davies still plays for the club. Nathan Davies, of Cefn Yr Allt, Aberdualis, Neath Valley , had previously pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions. Giles Hayes, for Davies, said following the incident the defendant had been suspended from attending the clubhouse for nine months but was allowed to continue playing. The defence barrister said in that capacity, Davies had been at the club on match days at the same time as the complainant without issue. He also said that after the suspension had finished, Davies had attended the clubhouse for an end-of-season presentation evening at which Mr Jenkins was present and again there was "no suggestion of any bad behaviour". The advocate invited the court to find that his client's remorse was genuine and he said Davies knows his conduct was "completely unacceptable" and wrong. He said the defendant was a hard-working family man with no previous convictions who is due to marry his fiancé next year, and he said what happened in the club on the day in question was out of character. The advocate said that Davies had played rugby at a senior level for many years - including playing games in the Swansea Valley which can be an "intimidating" environment - adding that there was "no suggestion he was a violent man on or off the pitch" and that he was always someone who conducted himself well. Judge Catherine Richards told Davies that the complainant had simply been enjoying an evening in the rugby club when he was subjected to violence at his hands. She said the court had dealt with many cases over the years where a single punch had led to serious or even fatal consequences. The judge said she accepted the defendant was genuinely remorseful for what he had done, and said it was always a significant moment when a person appears before the courts for the first time and loses their good character. With a discount for his guilty plea Davies was made subject to a 12-month community order with a requirement that he completes 250 hours of unpaid work in the community. The defendant must also pay his victim £2,400 in compensation. The judge said the legal test for making a restraining order had not been met, and she declined to make such an order. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice