A MAN has denied attacking a nightclub bouncer with a cosh.

At Liverpool Crown Court Christian Henry, 27, claimed doorman Anthony James attacked him with the cosh and he had just tried to disarm him during a racas.

It is alleged Henry turned up "mob-handed" with friends on August 18 last year at Barbarella's in Leigh to launch a premeditated attack on doormen. But Henry, of Larch Road, Leigh, denied the claims and maintained the bouncers had attacked them.

Henry has pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent and violent disorder.

Timothy Brennand, prosecuting, claimed eight to 10 men arrived at the club just before midnight. Some were armed with bottles, others had coshes, iron bars, a screw driver and a knife. He said there was "complete mayhem" in the clash with the gang and 11 on and off-duty doormen at the club.

Henry told the jury he and his friends and their girlfriends went to Barbarella's just before closing time.

He said a doorman hit his friend Ian Rawson and another friend David Higgins was hit with an extendable cosh by Mr James.

"Dave had his head split open, Ian was knocked unconscious and I got whacked," he alleged, claiming he suffered a fractured finger.

"I intended to get the cosh off him before he could hit anyone else. There was a struggle...he said he was going to kill me," alleged Henry.

He said two other doormen gave him a "good hiding".

Henry admitted his previous convictions include threatening behaviour and possessing a knuckle duster.

Henry, who said he had drunk "seven or eight bottles of lager", denied that he had pushed Mr James to the floor and coshed him. He claimed the doormen had planned the attack and a doorman had stabbed Mr James.

Three other Leigh men, Ian Rawson, 32, of Willow Crescent, David Higgins, 30, of Tennyson Avenue and Christopher Pemberton, 21, of Liza Street, have already pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

(Proceeding)