A KNAPHILL man planning to expand a nightclub business to Torquay has been barred from all pubs and clubs in the seaside town after allegedly glassing a clubber.

Bed Bar managing director Paul Fisher, of Northwood Avenue,  has been charged with unlawful wounding.

The 32-year-old is accused of glassing Mario Montinaro in the early hours of May 3, at the Cafe Mambo nightclub in the Devon town.

Mr Montinaro was taken to hospital and doctors were required to remove glass from his neck.

The 22-year-old victim also had cuts to the side of his face which needed butterfly stitches.

At a hearing at Torquay magistrates’ court last Thursday (August 9), Mr Fisher pleaded not guilty and requested that the case be directed to trial by jury, which the magistrate agreed to.

A commital date has been set for Friday, October 5 back at Torquay magistrates’ court, with the trial expected to start next spring at Exeter Crown Court.

As a bail condition Mr Fisher has been excluded from entering licensed premises in Torquay, except for hotels where he has made a reservation. He is still allowed to visit restaurants, supermarkets and the new Bed Bar in Torquay.

It is understood the team behind the Bed Bar nightspots in Church Path, Woking, and Reading have  taken over the lease of the former Pure nightclub in Torquay and plan to open for business in late September.

Mr Fisher’s lawyer,  Alex Tribick, said: “It was made clear by Paul that his preference was for a trial by jury, as he feels confident that in front of 12 of his peers, justice will prevail in this case, and the magistrate agreed that should be the case.

“It is ironic that he finds himself in this unfortunate position, with this prosecution hanging over him, given his work with Bed Bar, which is dedicated to making people’s nights out as enjoyable as they should be.”

In June Mr Fisher was ­celebrating the Bed Bar being named the best in ­Woking at the inaugural Best Bar None awards.

He represented the nightclub at the event held at HG Wells Centre, where Bed Bar also won the prestigious People’s Choice award, ­voted for by the general ­public.

After picking up the award Mr Fisher said he had hopes of making the soon-to-open Bed Bar in Torquay just as successful. He said: “We have now reviewed all our policies and ­procedures and this award is for all the hard work we have put in.

“There is a Bed Bar in Reading and a new bar in ­Torquay and both of those will be entering the Best Bar None competition next year.

“We want to win all three.”