A WORKING dad who attacked another man in a pub walked free - because he would lose his £1,000-a-week job and his family would be punished.

Peter Iceton was instead given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to his victim and £600 in court costs.

A judge yesterday (Tuesday, June 2) told the 27-year-old, from Middlesbrough, that it was neither necessary nor in the public interest to lock him up.

"You would be in the dole queue when you came out, and it will be your children and partner who suffer, and the general public who will have to support you," said Recorder Keith Miller.

"You are someone who has extremely good employment, you have children to whom you have responsibilities.

"It is frankly an appalling, and I emphasise appalling, example for any father to set for his children, and sadly it is something which happens all too often."

Teesside Crown Court heard how Iceton's victim lost six teeth in the assault, and suffered cuts to both eyes.

The attacker was said to have been acting in self-defence of his brother when he feared the other man was going to assault him.

His lawyer, John Nixon, told the court that Iceton went beyond self-defence when he landed a flurry of blows in a moment of madness.

"The defendant is a young man of previous good character with no police involvement at all," Mr Nixon said.

"In a split second on that night, all of that was swept away when this red mist descended, and he clearly acted impulsively. There was no premeditation at all, and it resulted in his immediate regret."

Iceton, of Ainsworth Way, Ormesby, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, and was given a ten-month sentence, suspended for two years.

Mr Recorder Miller told him: "It is a matter of considerable regret, particularly, I am sure, to yourself and your family, that you have now appeared before a court and been convicted of this serious assault.

"I note that this is an isolated incident, and one which I hope will never be repeated."

The victim said in an impact statement that he did nothing to provoke the attack, and is now too afraid to go to Middlesbrough.