Paddington resident and former West Ham player Izzy Iriekpen accused of glassing pub bouncer

A Paddington man and former West Ham’s youth team glassed a bouncer in Notting Hill after an argument over the parking of his female friend’s Porsche, a court heard today.

The Old Bailey heard claims that Izzy Iriekpen, 33, of Westcliffe Apartments in South Wharf Road, allegedly lashed out when he was approached by door staff outside the venue.

The powerful centre, who played for the Hammers between 1998 and 2003, half punched Ymer Topuzi in the mouth before smashing a glass or bottle over the head of Simon Williams, jurors heard.

The row was sparked when Iriekpen began talking to a young woman who blocked the pavement outside the bar with her black Porsche, the court was told.

Mr Williams said: “I went over to the car and said you can’t park there, you are blocking the pavement.

“I asked if they could put the car on the other side and he said he didn’t like the way he was being spoken to and made an aggressive comment.”

The 5ft 8inch bouncer said the footballer, who also played for Swansea City and Bristol City, lashed out at his colleague and grabbed him by this throat.

He added: “I started to push him away and that is the last thing I remember. I felt a really sharp blow to the side of the face.”

Mr Williams was rushed to hospital with a severed artery in his neck and received a blood transfusion followed by immediate surgery.

Mr Topuzi was less seriously injured, but suffered swelling and bleeding to the lip.

When Iriekpen was arrested he told police: “I did it in self defence.”

He denies common assault wounding with intent and an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

The trial continues.