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A gunman who shot a bouncer in the TESTICLE after being booted out of a nightclub has been jailed for 20 years.

Theodore Paget, 27, blasted doorman Dan Lewis, 32, in the groin after he was kicked out of the Leicester night-spot on May 8 last year.

The thug had been ejected from Sub8ten nightclub in the city centre when he produced the weapon, wrapped in cloth, from his waistband.

Mr Lewis was forced to spend a day in hospital, and was off work for three months following the attack at 6am on May 8 last year.

Paget admitted to unlawfully wounding the door supervisor, but denied the more serious count of wounding with intent to inflict serious bodily harm.

But a jury at Leicester Crown Court unanimously found him guilty of the latter charge, and he was jailed for 20 years on Thursday (13/7).

Judge Philip Head said: "There was an intention of pulling the trigger.

"I am disposed to sentence that it was his gun and he brought it to the club.

"On the face of the evidence, it appears he was familiar with the gun because as we know the safety catch was on, which demonstrated he had worked it after the incident and before he deposited it.

"It was an inescapable conclusion that the defendant took the gun to the club and deliberately pulled the trigger."

The court heard how brave Mr Lewis had stepped in after Paget, of no fixed address, held the gun to the face of a fellow doorman, Ricky Baxter.

The gunman had been thrown out of the club's basement, which is known as the Dungeon.

Giving evidence, the father-of-two said: "He put the gun to Ricky's face, to his mouth.

"All I could see was the tip of the muzzle.

"The firearm was at arm's length touching his mouth.

"I struck the defendant to the right side of his face and it made him stumble.

"I grabbed him around his shirt from behind and he tried breaking free, just wriggling.

"I got him in a bear hug, dragging him backwards away from the club.

"Another doorman, Robert Jones, got involved and Ricky struck the male as well.

"He (Paget) turned sideways.

"I heard a bang and saw smoke rise up.

"The smoke came from the firearm, from my stomach area.

"I felt a large sharp shooting pain in my groin and my left leg.

"I was holding him for a few seconds, and then I fell to the floor in pain.

"For a few seconds and then I fell to the floor in pain.

"The gun shot went into the left testicle, through the top of my leg and out through the back, near the buttock."

The judge also awarded Mr Lewis £500 from public funds for his bravery in protecting his colleague.

Speaking after sentencing, Mr Lewis added: "I'm lucky to be alive.

"Thankfully, I didn't suffer life changing injuries.

"The defendant apologised in court but I don't think he meant it.

"We also saw some crocodile tears when he gave evidence.

"I feel sorry for him and I hope he gets any help or treatment he needs and comes out of prison a better person."

Detective Constable Chris Fox, of Leicestershire Police, said: "This was a violent assault on a man who had stepped in to protect a colleague in the face of some considerable danger.

"As a result of the injury he sustained, he had to undergo intensive surgery, and spent many months recovering from his ordeal."