A TEENAGER lost several teeth and suffered a broken jaw after he was hit by a man wearing a knuckleduster outside a Bournemouth nightclub.

The boy, who cannot be named as he is still 17, was punched in the face by Joshua Anderson on December 16 2017. Anderson, of Fitzmaurice Road in Christchurch, has now admitted possession of the knuckleduster, inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and affray.

Magistrates in Poole heard the defendant, 26, had been involved in a row outside Truth in Exeter Road in the moments before the attack.

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, said: "The victim was with two friends during the early hours of December 16.

"One was involved in a disturbance with another group of males. The victim was trying to diffuse the situation and stop a fight from happening."

The victim was then punched in the face by Anderson and "further assaulted by an unknown male".

"The teenager suffered a fractured jaw and three of his teeth were knocked out," Ms Reece said.

Police were called to the club at around 2.15am. The victim was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment and released later that day.

Anderson is currently serving a 12-week prison sentence after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent in Exeter Road on June 10.

He appeared before magistrates via prison video link.

The defendant was committed for sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court next month.

Anthony Allen, 26 and of Stour Road in Christchurch, has also been charged with committing grievous bodily harm in connection with the same incident.

He has denied the charge, and will appear before a judge at the crown court on August 16 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.