A MAN glassed his former partner's new boyfriend when he saw the pair kissing in a pub.

But Ian Johnson, 20, escaped a prison sentence after a court was told of his deep remorse at the attack.

Durham Crown Court heard that Johnson had been involved in a relationship with the woman over Christmas last year, and she was pregnant with his child.

Christopher Williamson, prosecuting, said they split up and she began a relationship with another man last March.

The couple were at the Cattle Mart pub, in Tow Law, on a Friday night in April, at the same time that Johnson was also drinking at the premises.

Words were exchanged between Johnson and the other man.

Later, after he saw the couple kissing, the Johnson approached him and thrust a lager glass into the side of his face.

Mr Williamson said Johnson also followed up with several punches before leaving the pub.

The victim suffered several superficial cuts to his face and required treatment with steri-strips.

Johnson was arrested the following day and made a full confession.

He told police he had become angry because he did not want the other man having anything to do with his child.

Julian Smith, for Johnson, said: "He has thrown away his good character for a few short moments that evening."

Johnson, who has moved from the area and is now living in Mildenhall, Suffolk, admitted wounding.

He was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years, and was also ordered to pay his victim £850 compensation.