A PUB customer who knocked back eight pints lashed out at another drinker with a beer glass, a court heard.

Paul Jackson hit Gary Richardson with the bottom of the glass in defence of his sister.

The 22-year-old was given a 50-week prison sentence suspended for two years, and 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Judge Jonathan Teare barred him from the Charlton Arms, High Road, Chilwell, and said he should pay £200 towards the cost of the prosecution.

"Anybody who uses a glass in a pub as a weapon under any circumstances can expect imprisonment. It is a very, very dangerous weapon.

"When you struck Gary Richardson you didn't know whether the glass was going to shatter. You didn't know whether bits would fly into his eye. You didn't know if it was going to scar him for life."

Nottingham Crown Court heard how Mr Richardson had been with a group of friends on February 21 – while the defendant, of Attenborough Lane, Attenborough, was out separately with his sisters.

The court was told Jackson had been in the pub since 2.30pm and had drunk about eight pints.

CCTV showed the victim at one end of the pub and the defendant and the sister at the other.

During the course of the evening, the sister walked over and there was an exchange between the complainant and her.

Alleged abuse came from the victim's group and then Jackson hit Mr Richardson in defence of his sister, the court heard.

The defendant was seen making a "jabbing motion" with the half-full glass.

Mr Richardson did not need stitches to the small cut he suffered on his forehead.

The glass remained intact.

Stuart Gosnell, mitigating, said Jackson had been out with his mum and dad, who left him and his sisters in the pub.

"He accepts he reacted in an unacceptable and unlawful way when he feared for the safety of his sister. It was a jabbing motion. The bottom of the glass struck the forehead.

"He is thoroughly ashamed of what he has done. He has a high degree of empathy with the person he struck."

The judge said he was satisfied Jackson, who pleaded guilty to an offence of wounding, was genuinely remorseful. He has no previous convictions.

rebecca.sherdley@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk