A former New Zealand goalkeeper headbutted and repeatedly punched a man in a Cardiff nightclub after placing his hands on a woman. He left his victim with a broken nose, a fractured cheek, and a broken tooth during the unprovoked attack.
Luke Naughton, 42, was visiting Wales on October 30, 2021, in order to watch the Wales v New Zealand rugby match in Cardiff. He later attended Retro nightclub in Mill Lane when when he approached a complete stranger and put his arms around her.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard he came into contact with the woman's back and rested his chin on her shoulder. The touching was momentary but she told one-time Bayern Munich triallist Naughton she didn't want to be touched. A male friend witnessed the incident and could see his friend was uncomfortable.
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Prosecutor Clare Wilks said words were exchanged between the defendant and the other man. They faced each other forehead to forehead until Naughton headbutted him causing him to fall on the floor. The defendant got on top of him and punched the victim to the face.
The man was covered in blood and noticed part of his tooth was missing. Naughton was detained by door staff and was arrested by police. The victim was taken to hospital and received treatment for a fractured cheek, broken nose, and broken veneers which required dental treatment which cost £5,455.
Naughton, of Edgarley Terrace, London, later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. The court heard he was of previous good character.
In a victim personal statement the female victim said: "The incident has left me with a massive impact on my self-confidence. I used to feel comfortable going to busy bars and clubs but I no longer feel like that. I am nervous without the company of my fiancé or male friends. I was upset my friend intervened and for his trouble was seriously assaulted."
The male victim said: "I woke up with blurred vision the next day. The experience has been horrifying for me and those closest to me. I have never been involved in an act of violence and I never expected something like this to happen. I felt low for a number of weeks."
In mitigation Stephen Ferguson said his client wished to apologise to the court and his victims. He added: "Frankly he's mortified." The barrister said Naughton was an international footballer for New Zealand at under-20s level and had a trial with German club Bayern Munich.
Mr Ferguson said the defendant was "terribly in drink" at the time of the offence but described him as a "family man, sportsman, and gentleman". He said Naughton was happily married and had two daughters.
Recorder Christopher Felstead described the offence as a "nasty assault". He sentenced Naughton to six months imprisonment suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work and to pay £2,000 in compensation.
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