Night club attacker jailed

A man has been jailed in connection with an assault in Hertford three years ago when a man received serious injuries after being hit on head with a glass bottle.

Joe Palmer, aged 36, was jailed for five years and four months after appearing at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 30th January, having been found guilty of GBH with intent in a week-long trial in December.

The incident occurred at the former Popworld nightclub in Bull Plain, Hertford on 19th March 2023.

Palmer became involved in a verbal altercation with a man aged in his 20s on the dancefloor, after he asked Palmer to leave his female friend alone.

He then picked up a glass bottle and struck the victim to the head, causing significant wounds and permanent scarring.

Palmer, of High Road, Broxbourne, was escorted out of the venue by security after he was seen trying to exit through a fire door.

Police and security were then alerted to the assault and Palmer was identified through the venue's ID scanning system.

Palmer was arrested on 31st March, before charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Following the trial, he was sentenced to five years for the assault, with an additional four months to run consecutively for activating a suspended sentence for a previous assault.

Investigator Gary Bangs, from the East Herts Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said: "This was an unprovoked and violent attack on a young man, who was simply enjoying a night out with a group of friends.

"I'd like to praise the victim and witnesses for their strength and dignified manner throughout the trial and sentencing.

"Palmer now has a significant amount of time in prison to reflect on his actions."