A HAMPSHIRE boxer broke the cheekbones of two fellow drinkers in a high street wine bar, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Light heavyweight Dominic Powers also broke one of the men’s jaw in the fracas, jurors were told.

Prosecutor, Clifford Grier, said the men, Andrew Bennett and Dean Roberts, had been drinking in another pub before going to Long’s wine bar in Lymington.

Shortly before closing time, they headed towards the bar when Powers said something to Mr Roberts. His friend then saw Powers punch him several times in the face with a clenched fist.

Mr Bennett stepped in to try and pull Mr Roberts, who was bleeding quite badly, away but Powers then struck him several blows to the face.

He fell to the floor and, while lying there, felt someone stamp on one of his feet.

Mr Bennett thought he lost consciousness for a few minutes. An ambulance was called and both men were taken to hospital, the court heard. Both had broken cheekbones and Mr Roberts also had a fractured jaw.

At no stage, said Mr Grier, did either man throw punches and had only put up their hands to protect their faces.

Powers left the wine bar quickly but was arrested hours later at his home.

He told police he had acted in self-defence, saying he thought Mr Roberts was about to hit him and he threw one punch. Then Mr Bennett rugby tackled him and he hit him.

Powers, 24, of Hillcroft Close, Lymington, denies two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Proceeding.