A HAMPSHIRE man has been spared jail for intimidating a witness and breaching a suspended sentence.

David Douglas, 33, verbally threatened Robert Jones against testifying against him in his trial in September for an assault.

Judge Keith Cutler, Recorder of Winchester spared Douglas jail because he had completed his community service and had a three-year-old son at home. Douglas was convicted after a trial last month.

The judge imposed a nine-month suspended sentence along with 100 hours community service.

The court earlier heard that Douglas, of Tides Way, Marchwood, had been convicted of actual bodily harm against Mr Jones in December 2008. He punched Mr Jones in the face fracturing his cheekbone, He had been given a suspended sentence of 45 weeks in prison for two years, along with 200 hours of unpaid community service.