Personal injury news

Bouncer faces jail after causing neck injury

A doorman who left a woman with a serious neck injury after ejecting her from a club has been warned he faces being sent to jail.

Blue Kinane was found guilty of causing actual bodily harm following the incident at Windsor's Liquid Nightclub in May 2005. He will be sentenced on 2nd June. His victim, Joanne Piednoir, now confined to a wheelchair, watched the proceedings at Reading Crown Court.

The court heard how 15-stone Kinane held seven-stone Ms Piednoir in a full Nelson - a popular wrestling move so dangerous that even the police no longer use it - as he dragged her out of the club. Left in a crumpled heap on the floor outside, she was in severe pain and later discovered she was suffering from a broken neck.

Ms Piednoir, who was ejected after becoming abusive in the nightclub toilets, told the jury of her ordeal, saying, "As he was carrying me I began to feel a shortness of breath.

"I told him that I was in pain and that I couldn't breathe. The only response I got was a firmer hold. He increased the intensity of the hold.

"I felt a crack in my neck and my legs go from beneath me. He let go of me and I was left in a heap on the floor."

In addition to pressing criminal charges, 44-year-old Ms Piednoir has consulted personal injury solicitors and is pursuing a compensation claim against Kinane to recompense her for the neck injury.