A RUGBY fan broke his victim’s leg at a social club where drinkers had gathered to watch this year’s Wales v France Six Nations clash.

Phillip West, 48, attacked Luke Harvey outside Risca Workingmen’s Club as a result of the “festering resentment” he felt towards the complainant.

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Cardiff Crown Court heard the alcohol-fuelled violence was triggered because the defendant believed the victim took advantage of his father over the sale of a car.

West pulled Mr Harvey to the floor and repeatedly hit him when he was on the ground in front of his girlfriend, prosecutor David Pinnell said.

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He also punched his victim after the pair had been separated and is said to have “threatened to burn a caravan down”.

Mr Pinnell added: “A festering resentment came to the surface.”

Mr Harvey was taken to Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital and an X-ray showed he had suffered a broken leg.

West, of Preseli Close, Trenewydd Park, Risca, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on February 22.

Gareth Williams, mitigating, said his client was a man of previous good character with no convictions recorded against him.

West’s barrister added: “He was in the wrong that day. You can’t go around assaulting people.”

The judge, Recorder Mark Cotter QC, told the defendant: “You are 48 and should know better. Your victim was defenceless on the floor.”

West was sentenced to an 18-month community order.

He must complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was made the subject of a three-month electronically monitored curfew between 7pm and 6am.

West must pay Mr Harvey £1,328 in compensation for loss of earnings because of his injury.

A two-year restraining order was also imposed prohibiting the defendant from contacting the complainant.