THE VICTIM of an assault faces a potential £1,000 bill for dental treatment after being struck in the face with a bottle, a court heard.

Steven Doe was struck in the mouth outside Southampton's Leisure World complex by a bottle thrown by Matthew Hawkins.

Southampton Crown Court heard the victim suffered two fractured teeth and a cut lip after his drunken assailant threw the missile at him from about ten feet.

Prosecutor Carl Anderson said Mr Doe had undergone treatment costing £162 but that would rise to about £1,000 if further work had to be carried out.

Hawkins, 19, of Laxton Close, Southampton, admitted causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for 16 months.

Passing sentence, Judge Jeremy Burford QC said he took into account the impact a custodial sentence would have on his partner and their one month old baby and the fact he had been tackling his drinking but there was no reason why a suspended sentence should be imposed.

"Throwing a bottle warrants immediate custody" he said.

In mitigation, Charles Thomas accepted it was a serious offence that normally passed the custody threshold but the probation report clearly identified alcohol as being the reason behind his previous offending.

"His relationship with his partner and a change of attitude towards violence and offending in general are a strong motivation for him to stay out of trouble in the future."