THERE is no place for violent door staff in Bolton town centre, police have warned, after a bouncer was sentenced for breaking a reveller’s leg.

Rafike Riaz avoided an immediate jail term after attacking a man outside Shots Bar in Bradshawgate, where he worked as door staff, on Friday, December 20 — known as Mad Friday, one of the busiest nights of the year.

The victim, Mark Lovett, suffered a break to his leg.

Riaz initially claimed to be the victim of an attack — but CCTV showed Riaz assaulting Mr Lovett.

The 43-year-old, of Canada Street, Halliwell, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

Judge Timothy Stead, at Bolton Crown Court, sentenced Riaz to a 12- month suspended jail term.

He was also ordered to comply with a 12-month community order where he must complete a course — Achieving Peaceful Solutions.

The course looks into the defendants’ excuses for using violence and teaches them how to use the right behaviours to avoid violence when they face conflict.

He was also ordered to pay a statutory £60 victim surcharge.

Sgt John Boyce, from Bolton police’s partnership and licensing team, said: “This team has been working closely with the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

“The week after the assault we contacted the SIA and they suspended his licence pending the court result. Now he has been convicted his licence has been revoked. There is no place in Bolton for violent door staff.”

The SIA regulates the private security industry in the UK.