Havana nightclub in Paceville employed an unlicensed bouncer. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

An unlicensed bouncer who smashed a man’s jawbone as he was entering the men’s restrooms at a Paceville nightclub has been handed a suspended sentence.

Magistrate Anthony Vella sentenced Kevin Mallia, 40, from Sliema, for two years in jail suspended for four after finding him guilty of seriously injuring the man.

He was also found guilty of slightly injuring his friend when he assaulted them as they entered the restroom together after the friend fainted and of working as a bouncer without a licence.

His colleague, Aaron Vella, 28, from Mosta, a licensed bouncer, was conditionally discharged for a year after a court only found him guilty of having participated in the beating but to a lesser degree.

The incident happened inside the Havana nightclub in Paceville on January 3, 2012, at around 4am. The victim has had to have a metal plate inserted in his jaw to support it.

Magistrate Vella heard how the victim, his friend and his partner were at the club when the friend fainted so his friends accompanied him to the men’s restroom. When Mr Mallia saw the three entering the restroom, he suspected they were up to something and used excessive force to get them out, with the victim and friend sustaining injuries.

The court watched closed circuit footage in which Mr Mallia is seen hitting the victims and using excessive force.

The court noted how Mr Mallia refused to answer any questions. Mr Vella said he heard Mr Mallia calling for assistance on the two-way radio because there was an argument near the men’s restroom.

Police inspectors Godwin Scerri and Luke Bonello prosecuted. Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili appeared for the men.

Stories related to excessive use of force by bouncers working at Paceville nightclubs are not uncommon.

Last month, a 24-year-old man was left nursing serious facial injuries after what he claimed was an unprovoked assault by two bouncers.

In December, Michelle Sullivan, 45, claimed she was beaten up by two bouncers but rather than the perpetrators, the police charged her in court with attempting to use force with intent to cause injury and disturbing the public peace.