Cage fighter "scarred for life" in bottle slash

CAGE fighter Ronnie Mann was scarred for life when a man slashed his face with a broken bottle, a court heard.

Martial arts professional Ronnie lost lucrative work as a result of the attack by Jed Dicks, 21, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

Dicks, of Mendip Road, Cheltenham, admitted unlawfully wounding the featherweight mixed martial arts exponent on December 18 outside Lace in Albion Street.

He admitted having a broken bottle in his hand but maintained it broke when he fell over on ice. He denied deliberately jabbing it into Mr Mann's face.

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Prosecutor James Cranfield said Mr Mann and a group of friends left the club at about 3.30am.

"They were outside and became aware of the defendant, who they did not know," said Mr Cranfield.

"He was very clearly aggressive. He was swearing and accusing them of being 'Gloucester boys'."

Things seem to have simmered down, then Dicks lashed out.

"The defendant had a broken bottle in his hand and his friends were trying to usher him away. He then said to Mr Mann 'I will cut you up'," said Mr Cranfield.

"Mr Mann tried to call his bluff by throwing off his jacket and suggesting that if he was going to do it he should do it."

Mr Cranfield said someone tried to take the bottle from Dicks, who slipped on the ice and at the same time swung out with the bottle.

"The collision between them all appears to have had the result of the bottle hitting the victim's face."

In a victim impact statement, Mr Mann said the incident left him and his girlfriend wary.

"Mr Mann is a mixed martial arts competitor and teacher," he said. "He says that for a while he was unable to compete and he had to cancel a very lucrative contract which would have earned him $16,000.

"He also missed out on a sponsorship photo shoot because of the consequences to his face."

Judge Jamie Tabor QC asked to see any CCTV available, as well as have a detailed case summary from the prosecution and a clear basis of plea from Dicks.

Dicks would be going to prison but for how long would depend on factors which he was not yet clear about, he said. He adjourned sentence until December 2 and granted Dicks' bail.