A MAN who threw a pint glass into another man's face during a fight in a nightclub has been spared jail.

Adam Egglestone, of Kingsway, Darlington, had previously been warned that he could face custody after admitting carrying out the attack in the Escapade nightclub, in the town, which left his victim John Kershaw needing stitches to a 2in cut above his eye.

But yesterday, he was given a year's community punishment order after magistrates said they were satisfied he had shown remorse and never intended to carry out the attack, which happened on November 4 last year.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard that Egglestone, 25, believed Mr Kershaw was being "over-friendly" with his girlfriend.

When Egglestone intervened, he claimed Mr Kershaw pushed him backwards, causing him to drop two of the three pint glasses he was carrying.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said: "Mr Egglestone then threw the other pint glass at the complainant, which struck him in the face. A struggle then began between the pair, and they fell to the floor.

"The complainant suggested while he was on the ground he was kicked, although there is no evidence to suggest that Mr Egglestone was involved in that."

As well as the cut above his eye, Mr Kershaw was left with other lacerations to his face and a wound on his back.

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said that Egglestone, who had no history of violence, was provoked into reacting the way he did.

He said: "It certainly wasn't a premeditated offence.

"It really is true to say that this is an isolated incident, contributed to by the circumstances of that time.

"No one can say how they would react to a situation where there is alcohol involved, and - we say - provocation."

As well as the community order, which included 150 hours of unpaid work, Egglestone was ordered to pay £600 compensation to Mr Kershaw, and £70 costs.

Chairman of the bench Patricia Bacon told him: "We do not see you as a violent man, and do not expect we will see you back in court again."