Saints star was subject to 'sustained' assault from drug gang member in Bridge Street bust-up

Saints star Ben Nutley was punched repeatedly by drug gang member Daniel Coxall-Carr at Revolution in Bridge Street, a court heard.

Daniel Coxall-Carr appeared in the dock at Northampton Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced for his part in a major cocaine operation operating in Northamptonshire.

But as part of the hearing the 25 -year-old from Abbots Close, Wellingborough, asked for another charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to be taken into account.

Prosecutor Adrian Langdale described to the court how Coxall-Carr delivered a "sustained" and repeated assault on Saints star Nen Nutley on August 24, 2014.

At around 1.30am on that day, both Coxall-Carr and Mr Nutley were drinking in the Revolution bar in Bridge Street, Northampton when a friend of the rugby player's appeared to be pushed over.

Mr Nutley saw his friend "fall backward" said Mr Langdale, " and assumed he had been pushed."

The Saints flanker then went over to confront Coxall-Carr but was assaulted.

Mr Langdale said witnesses claimed to see "around five punches" exchanged between the men, with the fight concluding when Mr Nutley turned to the bar clutching his face.

His mouth had "immediately filled with blood," the prosecutor added, with the punches delivered so hard it left Mr Nutley, "unable to see" temporarily.

Nutley was left with fractures to his jaw in two places.

Coxall-Carr is due to receive a sentence for his part in a conspiracy to supply cocaine along with more than 20 others today.

The assault will be taken into consideration by judge Michael Fowler when considering his punishment.