A BUSINESSMAN who dodged jail for a bottle attack in a nightclub was told by a judge he came "within a whisker" of being locked up.

Leon Fay, 29, struck a 21-year-old drinker at the bar of the Skyy Lounge in Hartlepool because his victim got served before him.

Fay's barristers and two people called to give evidence described February's incident as "inexplicable" and "totally out of character".

Christine Egerton, mitigating, told Teesside Crown Court: "He regrets entirely what happened. He recognises his behaviour was unacceptable."

As well as the two personal referees, the judge also heard from seven people who had written testimonials on behalf of the father-of-two.

Judge Sean Morris said: "Every so often, not that often, in a judge's life, a case comes along that's a tough one, and this is one of them.

"What on earth happened that night, I do not know . . . It is unbelievable you should have behaved as you did that night.

"We will never know why you did it. It is, perhaps, and object lesson to everybody about the dangers of excessive drinking."

The judge added: "I have read testimonials from some pretty impressive, decent folk, who say you are decent, law-abiding, hard-working."

Fay, of Oak Street, Tyldsley, Manchester, admitted unlawful wounding, and was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence with £3,000 damages.

The court heard how the victim needed his head wound glued, and felt "nervous and vulnerable" in the weeks that followed the 2am attack.