A TEENAGER with “excellent academic potential” has avoided jail after being involved in a night time brawl that left a man with a fractured jaw.

Ryan Groves, 19, of Valley View, Abergavenny, admitted a charge of public affray when he appeared at Newport Crown Court on November 21, 2014.

Cardiff Crown Court heard this week how Groves had been on a night out with friends at The Auberge pub in Abergavenny on January 1, 2014.

In the premises Zach Gregory collided with one of Groves’ companions and a heated exchange took place between them.

At the end of the night, at around 3am, Mr Gregory saw the pair in the forecourt and called them out. The eventual brawl was captured on CCTV and Mr Gregory suffered a fractured jaw.

Summing up, Recorder Paul Hopkins QC acknowledged that Groves had no previous convictions and highlighted the fact that Groves was due to start university.

He said: “When matters get out of hand, they can potentially cause fear and harm for the public.

“The people of Abergavenny are entitled to be protected from this kind of behaviour.

“But, you are a young man with excellent academic potential and you have a great work ethic.

“This was out of character.”

Groves will have to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and will also have to obey an 8am-6pm curfew at his home address until September 1.

He will have to pay costs of £525 and a victim surcharge of £60.