Wolves Striker Fined for Handbag Attack

The Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has been fined £1,350 for attacking a nightclub doorman with his girlfriend's handbag, causing a three-inch cut to the victim's head. The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and a second public order offence of using threatening or abusive language.

Plymouth crown court heard Ebanks-Blake attacked 37-year-old doorman Greg Smith outside a nightclub in Plymouth. He was ejected from the Candy Store with friends at around 4am on November 11 last year and an argument started on the pavement outside.

Prosecuting barrister David Gittins said CCTV footage showed Ebanks-Blake holding "something over his head" which he hit the doorman with. "It was his girlfriend's handbag," he said. "Having been ejected from the club there was a fracas. We do not know what was in the handbag. There was a two to three-inch cut on the man's head."

Judge Francis Gilbert QC said Ebanks-Blake was a man of previous good character and gave him credit for pleading guilty. Ebanks-Blake was also ordered to pay compensation of £500 and prosecution costs of £650.