A PONTYPOOL man who left another needing hospital treatment last Christmas avoided an immediate custodial sentence.

Luke Jones, of Club Road, attacked his victim on a night out in Newport last Christmas Eve. He and his victim had attended a variety of clubs with separate groups of friends and had spoken amicably earlier.

But at about 1.30am a drunk Jones, 19, approached the man and accused him of boasting how he had beaten him up.

The shocked victim stumbled after Jones had punched him and grappled him to the floor, receiving injuries to the left side of his face and lip. The man required seven stitches to his face at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and later had to visit his GP to have them taken out.

Defending, Claire Pickthall said Jones saw the “ridiculousness” of his behaviour but she denied the attack was planned. She said he had behaved as he had because he was drunk – but the judge sentencing Jones disagreed.

Recorder John Philpotts said the attack was premeditated, making the offence even more serious.

He told Jones: “You had taken far too much alcohol and people should understand committing offences when in drink is not an excuse, it is an aggravating factor.

“You have a lot of things that can be said in your favour but this is a serious matter.

“By the narrowest of margins – and it is a very closely run thing – I can suspend your sentence in this case. You’ve come very close to [a custodial sentence], don’t come back.”

Jones had pleaded guilty to the charge at an earlier hearing.

Ms Pickthall said Jones regrets his actions and that an aspiration to work in Australia in the future lie in tatters because of his criminal record.

Jones was sentenced to 10 months at a young offenders' institution, suspended for 12 months. He must also undertake 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £250 compensation to his victim along with a £100 victim surcharge. That money must be paid within six months.