Quedgeley man threw pool ball at teen
David Davies, 23, of Druids Oak, Quedgeley, was convicted at Gloucester Magistrates Court in April of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Katie Davis and appeared at the city's crown court for sentence.
Prosecutor Julian Kesner said the 17-year-old victim had been setting up for a game of pool at Westgate Pool Centre on January 27 when she was hit in the mouth by the ball.
“She didn't see where it came from, but it must have been thrown with considerable force because, having bounced off his table, it travelled across her table and hit her in the mouth.”
This caused a range of injuries - including splitting Ms Davis' upper lip from the outside to the inside - knocking out a tooth and chipping five more.
The roots to her teeth had also been fractured and some required removal. She needed 24 stitches to her lip and gums.
Davies, also known as Fat Sam, had apologised to his victim before leaving the club, Mr Kesner said.
In a statement read to the court, Ms Davis said the incident had changed her life.
“I used to be a confident and outgoing girl but now I'm really shy,” she said. “I don't want people to look at me because of my injury.”
She now tries to cover her mouth with her hand to hide the prominent lump left by her injury.
Wendy Kingsbury, defending, said her client had changed his drinking habits, although it was not known if alcohol had been involved on January 27.
He was also working with the probation service to conquer his domestic violence problem.
Judge Mark Horton described Davies' crime as one of violent recklessness.
The judge ordered Davies to adhere to a curfew during the six months of deferral between 9pm until 4am. He also warned Davies to begin saving to pay compensation to his victim, adding that compensation in cases of such injury often exceeded £5,000.
