A VIOLENT bouncer who broke a man's cheekbone and eye socket with a single punch has been jailed for nine months.

Neil Wyer became irritated when Damien Tucker asked him why he had been thrown out of Yates's wine bar in Kidderminster.

The blow knocked Mr Tucker backwards into shutters and he fell unconscious on to the ground, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Surgeons had to insert a plate into his cheekbone and he suffered nerve damage and numbness.

Bulky Wyer, 22, of Milford Avenue, Stourport, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The victim was celebrating a friend's birthday on November 12 last year when he was pulled on to the dance floor and fell over.

He was asked to leave by doormen, said Abigail Nixon, prosecuting.

Mr Tucker waited outside for his friends but then approached Wyer, who was not on duty, and inquired why he had been ejected.

Miss Nixon said: "He walked a few steps forward and, without provocation, punched the victim in the face. Mr Tucker was covered in blood but Wyer walked away and refused to answer questions when confronted by members of the public."

Mr Tucker was unable to work for nearly a month afterwards and lost wages.

Wyer lied to police that the victim took a swing at him and he reacted in self-defence.

Defence counsel Joanne O'Shea said: "Unfortunately, he lost it. He was irritated by Mr Tucker's behaviour, asking him for information."

Wyer had been a doorman at the Oxford Street pub and at the Hollybush in Mitton Street, Stourport, over a four-year period without any previous trouble.

Miss O'Shea said the crime was uncharacteristic. Wyer had a stable relationship and lived with his parents.

Recorder Denis Desmond told Wyer he had brought disgrace on himself and his family.

"You are an extremely powerful man and part of your duty as a doorman is to control yourself. Without any provocation you lost your temper," he added.