Derby, England, UK

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Security boss denial after night clubber is seriously injured

The victim of an alleged attack by a nightclub security boss can still only communicate by blinking or saying the occasional word.

Surgeons had to remove part of Danny Healey's skull to ease the pressure when his brain began to swell following the incident at Saddlers Bar in the city on September 20.

Derby Crown Court heard yesterday that Mr Healey was "deeply unconscious" when admitted to intensive care with injuries to the back of the head and both cheeks.

Security firm owner Mark Lowe, 37, of Whitmore Close, Mickleover, denies causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that Mr Healey, 24, was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, for surgery.

This was carried out by neurosurgeon Ian Robertson who said in a statement: "He suffered very serious, life-threatening injuries."

Swelling inside the skull made pressure on the brain "dangerously high". Part of the skull had to be removed.

The court heard that Mr Healey is now at the King's Lodge Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at the City General Hospital and his condition was outlined by Dr Nicola Brain.

In a statement, she said: "There is a slight improvement, he is showing general signs of awareness, following things with his eyes.

"He is blinking to say yes or no. The occasional intelligible word is heard," she said.

A list of injuries was compiled by police surgeon Dr Moyn Uddin Ghori. This included bruising to the cheeks and arms as well as a severe injury to the back of the head.

He said the cheek injuries could have been caused by a punch while the head injury could have been from a fall.

The trial was told that Lowe is owner of Progressive Security, which provides door supervision for several Derby premises, including the one on Saddler Gate.

In a police interview, Lowe, 27, said a woman complained that a man was in the ladies' toilets. He went in and the man became aggressive, he said.

He took the man to the fire exit and told him to be careful of the bottom of the door frame. But "he tripped over it and fell".

Lowe said: "We all fell into the street."

Lowe, who is 6ft 3in, said all his door staff hold licences.

Lowe's nephew, Paul Grzebisz, 35, of Field Lane, Chaddesden, denies perverting the course of justice. He is alleged to have told police that he ejected Mr Healey, not Lowe.

The trial continues.