An Ilkeston man who punched another man unconscious outside a Ripley nightclub, leaving him with two collapsed lungs, has avoided an immediate prison sentence.
Jack Locke, 31, was sentenced at Derby Crown Court after admitting assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
The court heard the attack happened at about 4am on 2 July 2023 outside The Association.
CCTV footage showed the victim push Locke’s then partner before Locke repeatedly punched him to the head. Witnesses said the victim did not fight back and appeared to try to move away.
He was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where scans revealed bleeding to his forehead and two collapsed lungs. A neurologist described the injuries as severe.
At the time of the assault, Locke was seven months into a suspended sentence for a previous grievous bodily harm offence.
Sentencing, Judge Shaun Smith KC said the defendant “could not complain” if he had been sent to prison, describing the incident as a “nasty attack”.
Locke, of Manor Road, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for 21 months. He must complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 20 rehabilitation sessions, pay a £500 fine for breaching his previous order and comply with a six-month curfew between 7pm and 6am.