A thug who smashed a pint glass into the head of a former friend following a dispute about an ex-girlfriend left his victim needing medical treatment.

Anthony Duffy was caught on CCTV delivering the shocking blow outside The Central pub in Middlesbrough town centre last October.

The victim, who refused to co-operate with the police investigation, received treatment at the scene from paramedics, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said the row erupted following an exchange of messages on Facebook and trouble flared when the defendant had been drinking.

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“The victim was not prepared to submit a statement about the incident,” she said. “The defendant smashed him around the head with a Stella glass the police got CCTV footage which showed the incident.

“It shows the victim outside the pub he can be seen talking to a man and they square up to one another, as they do that the defendant approached the man from behind and is holding a full glass and swings his right arm and the glass smashes against his head.”

Duffy, of Kelvin Grove, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm following the attack on October 15 last year.

Emma Williams, mitigating, said her client was making steps to address his alcohol and cocaine consumption and was hoping to start an apprenticeship to get his life back on track.

She said: “He feels embarrassed and ashamed for his behaviour and realises he has let his parents down.

The father-of-two had been heading out with friends who were funding his drink and drugs but he is wanting to leave that life behind now, Miss Williams added.

She said: “He has realised how stupid that is and knows he needs to get off that path.”

Recorder Robert Ward sentenced Duffy to one-year in custody suspended for 18 months but warned him prison would be inevitable if he committed another offence.

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He said: “You’re in a pub and during an altercation with the victim, involving your friend, you smashed a glass over the back of his head from behind causing a cut to his head.

“I have watched the CCTV which shows the incident and it is clear that you struck him with considerable force with the glass.”

Duffy was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, attend 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and observe 120 days on an alcohol abstinence monitoring order.