Attack victim’s fight for justice after attack outside Leamington nightclub

Paul Calleja, 18, who is deputy head boy at Myton Sixth Form, suffered a broken nose in the incident, which happened outside Smack nightclub in Tavistock Street, Leamington, last Tuesday.

The Warwick resident says CCTV footage proves he was an innocent bystander and he is concerned about how his assailant was dealt with.

Mr Calleja said: “I feel very badly let down by the police. 

“I am unable to drink without a straw and unable to sleep properly because of the discomfort of my injuries.

“I am finding it difficult to carry on with my A level studies and I have lost time from my part-time job.

“I am facing treatment under general anaesthetic and I have worries about how my face is going to look.

“All of this and yet the person who inflicted this upon me has got nothing more than a caution.”

A doctor has told Mr Calleja that his nose may never look the same again.

He believes officers did not take enough time to assess the extent of his injuries and were too quick to issue the caution.

He said: “What I was immediately aware of was the fact that the police had not waited for any medical assessment of my injuries before deciding that it was appropriate to deal with the person who assaulted me by way of a caution.

“How can this be right?

“When I went to the police station to report the assault my injuries were recorded as a bruised and swollen nose, but the police knew that I was going to the hospital straight after this and my injuries were then confirmed there as far more serious.” 

Mr Calleja, who has received an offer to study chemistry at Oxford University, is seeking compensation and wants Warwickshire Police to reassess the case.

Chief Insp Neil Harrison said: “I can confirm Mr Calleja reported an assault which has resulted in a police caution being administered.

“Cautions are an official sanction, which are recorded on the Police National Computer and, whilst not a criminal conviction, can be considered as such under certain circumstances.

“Mr Calleja has made a formal complaint about this, which has been recorded and will be investigated, so it would be inappropriate to comment further.”