Rugby player broke man's jaw in pub brawl

A RUGBY player broke a man’s jaw during a brawl in a rural pub.

- JASON EVANS

Stuart Rees - known by his middle name of Dan - was out with colleagues for pre-Christmas drinks when he punched the stranger in the face.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault was out of character for the 27-year-old electrician who had consumed nine pints of Guinness, a pint of cider, and a Baileys during the festive bash with colleagues.

A judge described it as a “disgraceful incident” in a well-known pub.

Emily Bennett, prosecuting, told the court that the incident happened on the night of December 22, 2022, in the Abadam Arms in Porthrhyd in Carmarthenshire.

She said a fight broke out between men at the bar which initially did not involve either Rees or the victim.

The court heard others then became involved in the brawl, including Rees, and the complainant took hold of the defendant and escorted him out of the pub. Once outside the defendant pushed the landlady of the bar at which point the complainant told him he should leave.

The court heard that as the complainant turned to walk away Rees punched him to the side of the face with a strike the victim would later say felt like he had been stabbed. Rees then ran away.