A STUDENT needed surgery for a broken jaw and fractured cheekbone after an alleged early-morning street attack in Bournemouth town centre, a court heard.

Bournemouth Crown Court was told yesterday how a night out with friends had ended in hospital for George Griffiths after he got caught up in violence in Old Christchurch Road.

Louis King, 28, from Stewart Road, Bournemouth, denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and an alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on November 16 last year.

Prosecutor Jennie Rickman said Mr Griffiths had been assaulted after he left a nightclub with friends at around 3.30am.

Meanwhile King and his girlfriend were caught on camera having an argument as they walked towards the taxi rank opposite Horseshoe Common, she said.

She said: “Mr King removed his jacket and took off his T-shirt, wrapping it around his partner and pushing her to the floor.”

When Mr Griffiths approached the couple. King punched him the face, knocking him to the ground.

Mrs Rickman added: “As he lay on the floor Mr King punched him again in the face, then stamped on his head.”

King was filmed walking away but members of the public gave chase and alerted the police, along with CCTV camera operators, the jury was told.

Giving evidence, Mr Griffiths said he had heard raised voices before the argument had “kicked off”.

He told jurors: “I went over because there was a girl and guy arguing; it was quite an aggressive argument. I went over to try and sort out the situation; my intention was to stop it. The next thing I remember is waking up in hospital.”

He said he had undergone surgery to have his jaw wired and cheekbone repaired, adding: “The wires were taken out on December 20 but I need an operation on my nose because I can’t breathe properly.”

The case continues.