The former head of security at Rotorua's Heaven & Hell has admitted beating up one of the nightclub's owners.
Andrew David Donaldson, 27, pleaded guilty in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to a charge of injuring with intent to injure Pato Alvarez, a co-owner of the Arawa St nightclub.
According to the police summary of facts bouncer Donaldson, by then an ex-employee of Mr Alvarez's, was at the nightclub about 2am on January 1.
While Mr Alvarez was having a conversation with an employee, Donaldson punched him in the right side of the face and knocked him to the ground.
Donaldson then punched and kicked Mr Alvarez on the ground, who tried to protect himself by covering his head with his arms.
Mr Alvarez suffered bruising around his right eye and forehead, a chipped tooth and various cuts, grazing and marks to his body.
When arrested Donaldson admitted the assault and told police he had been defending the DJ, the summary said.
Judge Maree Mackenzie remanded Donaldson on bail for sentencing on May 30. She ordered a pre-sentence report be prepared, including home detention appendices.