A DOORMAN lost his appeal against conviction for assaulting his former partner as she tried to enter a nightclub.

Colin Darbyshire, aged 36, had appealed at Bolton Crown Court against a conviction after summary trial at Leigh Magistrates' Court of common assault against his former partner, Louise Manniex.

The court heard the couple had been together between 1992 and 1999 but then the relationship ended.

They had gone to mediation over access by Darbyshire, of Oak Street,

Tyldesley, to their three year-old daughter but relations had soured.

Miss Manniex told the court she was kicked all over her body by an enraged Darbyshire as she tried to enter a club but Darbyshire claimed the attack had been fabricated.

The assault happened on October 16 last year after Louise Manniex had gone out for a drink with her friend Melanie Cook.

Miss Manniex had seen her ex-partner in the pub but did not speak to him though he told her friend that she should not go to the 110 club in Leigh because she would be denied entry.

In company with other friends the women went to the 110 club but the doormen there told them that Darbyshire had told them not to let her inside.

They told her: " We know that you won't cause any trouble but he's told us not to let you in and we bouncers have to stick together."

Melanie Cook entered the club and spoke to Darbyshire. Minutes later Miss Manniex said a door opened and Darbyshire shouted abuse at her and grabbed her by the hair and ears.

She said she fell to the ground and was kicked all over her body. She managed to get to her feet and was then dragged across the road and kicked again.

Miss Manniex said she suffered bruising to her head, ears and hip and cut her knee during the attack.