A BOXER floored three committee men and security staff trying to eject him from a village workingmen's club.

Richard Bowser, 28, was yesterday jailed for a year after he admitted attacking the three as violence flared during Wolsingham Show weekend, in Weardale, County Durham, on September 3, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard Bowser turned violent because he felt excessive force was used to remove him from Wolsingham club. The court was told that Bowser was a professional ultimate fighter who has won most of his 70-plus fights.

During the incident, sparked by a row with his girlfriend, he pushed all three men, including the club steward and fellow committee members, to the ground outside the front door.

When another committee man tried to help, he was punched by Bowser, who was eventually pulled clear of the fracas by two women.

Bowser also punched one of the other men and elbowed the third in the face.

John Constable, prosecuting, said one of the victims suffered fractures to his nose, eye socket and cheekbone. Another suffered cuts, swelling and bruising to the face and had to have a bridge and metal plate fitted after teeth and jaw injuries.

The third victim suffered cuts to his mouth, but did not need hospital treatment.

Mr Constable said Bowser has eight convictions for 15 offences, including two each for assault and affray.

Don MacFaul, in mitigation, said: "He has always accepted culpability for the injuries to these men, but there is a witness statement backing his version of events. There was an argument with his girlfriend, who threw a drink.

"He was shoved and it would probably have been dealt with amicably until he reacted to being struck in the face."

Mr MacFaul said Bowser was often a target because of his boxing prowess.

Bowser, of West View, South Church, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, admitted two counts of wounding and one of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Jailing him, Judge Richard Lowden said: "Your fists are clearly very dangerous weapons."