A FIRST team hockey player who got involved in a violent incident in Bewdley has been fined £400 for punching a man in the face.

Huw Grummitt was also ordered to pay his victim Lee Flood £100 compensation.

Verbal taunts between two groups of men led to a scuffle in the town centre just before midnight on February 14, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Grummitt, who plays for Kidderminster Hockey Club, admitted common assault.

Judge Andrew Geddes told him: "This is another example of rowdyism late at night in Bewdley. There was an altercation between you and another group during which abuse was thrown and not surprisingly violence broke out."

The men had been playing pool in a pub before they met up again in the town and words were exchanged, said Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting.

Grummitt, 19, of Astley Burf, Stourport, had his jumper pulled and was hit on the back of the head. He turned round and punched Mr Flood.

The blow caused a cut which needed a butterfly stitch in hospital.

Grummitt, a trainee furniture maker, accepted his action was wrong and sympathised with the victim, said Mark Kellett, defending.

But he had tried to calm things down during the dispute.