A NEWPORT man who headbutted another man so hard he broke his nose and sent him hurtling across the room has been spared jail time.

Connor Lane, 25, of Bowcombe Road, appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Thursday.

He admitted one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard from prosecutor, David Reynolds, how on October 13, 2019, Lane had headbutted another man at the Hogshead pub in Newport, breaking the victim's nose.

CCTV footage showed Lane and a female talking on the dance floor, before being joined by another male.

Mr Reynolds said Lane, appearing to look aggrieved, had handed his drink to the female who in turn walked away.

The bench was told CCTV footage then showed Lane headbutting the victim out of nowhere and punching people nearby.

Mr Reynolds said the headbutt knocked the victim out and broke his nose, requiring surgery to be reset.

David Richards, defending, conceded the victim had gone out that night to have a good time and his holiday to Devon had been scuppered as a result.

He said that while Lane had caused a nasty injury, the victim's nose had been fixed to a satisfactory standard, and Lane's behaviour had been entirely out of character.

He told the court the incident had been prompted by a photograph being taken by the victim of Lane's girlfriend.

Mr Richards said Lane had taken exception to the victim's behaviour, concerned for the welfare of his girlfriend, who was deemed vulnerable.

He said the attack was not pre-meditated and Lane had not been looking for the trouble.

The bench heard how Lane had been entirely remorseful, and genuinely shocked the victim had been hurt so badly.

Mr Richards said it had been an isolated incident with no antecedence, and everything anybody had to say about Lane had been positive.

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Judge Tim Mousley told Lane he had administered a headbutt so hard it had not only knocked the victim out, but also across the room.

He said the victim had suffered serious injuries, and the use of a headbutt had been the same as the use of a weapon.

He said his reaction to the victim taking a picture had been completely out of proportion.

Lane was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was also handed a two-month curfew between the hours of 6pm and 6am, and ordered to pay £750 compensation.