A THUG left his victim with a “lopsided” face during a “vicious and unprovoked” attack in a nightclub.

James Sparke has been jailed for two years and eight months after launching the attack on a man inside Dick de Vigne’s nightclub in Warrior Square, Southend.

The 31-year-old, who was “wound up” by his brother, punched his victim to the floor before attacking him while he lay on the ground.

Basildon Crown Court heard the man suffered fractures to his cheekbone, jaw and eye-socket and had to have four metal plates inserted into his face.

Sparke, of Canewdon View Road, Rochford, had gone to the nightclub on April 16, 2017, with his brother. The victim attended separately.

Twice during the night, the victim was approached by Sparke’s brother who was asking for drugs. The victim told him that he “wasn’t into that sort of thing”.

The subsequent attack was then captured on the club’s CCTV.

Geoffrey Porter, prosecuting, said: “What was seen was that the defendant is spoken to in the foreground and the victim was dancing with a woman.

“The defendant then approached him, clearly to the surprise of him, he couldn’t possibly have seen it coming.

“He throws one punch to the left side of the face. He was forced backwards to the bar, came forward again and taken to the ground and ended up on the ground.

“The defendant got on top of him, the victim not offering any resistance, and five punches were delivered by the defendant to the head.”

Mr Porter said the plates were to repair the victim’s injuries and to improve his appearance as his face appeared “lopsided”.

Sparke initially denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but later admitted the offence. Mitigating, Nick Barraclough said Sparke’s father had been battling Covid in the past few months and had been in intensive care.

He added: “It’s brought home a number of points to him and he feels he has matured over the last few years and few months.”

Recorder William Clegg QC said: “You pleaded guilty to a vicious and sustained attack that was totally unprovoked. You delivered punches to his head and face that caused considerable damage.

“Not surprisingly the attack has had a very significant impact on his life.”

Sparke was jailed for two years and eight months.