A DRINKER who smashed a glass into the face of a man he accused of sleeping with his former girlfriend has been spared jail.

James Andrew Hadlet attacked the man in The Swan public house, in Wolviston Road, Billingham, leaving him with a one inch laceration to his jaw and cuts to his forehead which required nine stitches.

Prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court, Rachel Masters said the attack arose from a heated conversation the two men had been having with Hadlet then being ejected from the pub.

The 32-year-old, of Conway Avenue, Billingham, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on April 27 this year at the first available opportunity, the court was told.

His barrister Christopher Baker said he was at a very low risk of reoffending and a hard working man.

Recorder Christopher Knox said he was essentially of good character, but his problem was drinking to excess.

Hadlet received a 12 month jail sentence, suspended for two years. He will be supervised by the probation service for the next six months and do 60 hours unpaid work.