AN ATTACKER who left his victim needing 57 stitches after smashing a glass in his face has been handed a suspended sentence.

Joshua Conheeney admitted injuring Michael Drummond during a clash in Banbury bar Also Known As.

Slapping the roofer with an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, Recorder John Gallagher told Conheeney he must pay £1,000 to his victim.

Sentencing on Thursday, he told the 25-year-old: “You really would not be doing much good to yourself, your family, your partner or her child, by getting yourself locked up.

“You have every reason, let’s be blunt, to be utterly ashamed, because it’s by the grace of God that Mr Drummond’s injuries were not worse.”

Prosecutor Jonathan Stone told the court Mr Drummond was out with friends in the town, getting to the bar just after midnight on August 16.

The victim spotted Conheeney speaking to one of his friends and decided to walk over to the pair, the prosecutor said.

Mr Stone said Mr Drummond shoved the defendant, who declared he did not want to fight and walked away, but Mr Drummond followed him.

Conheeney, of Lansdown Close, Banbury, did not ‘engage’ with his victim, leading Mr Drummond to walk away, Mr Stone continued.

But the defendant then struck his victim hard in the face, forcing Mr Drummond to fall to the ground, shielding his face with his arms.

The court was told Mr Drummond recalls not having the chance to defend himself but eventually managed to get to his feet, pointing out Conheeney to bouncers.

Door staff also had to break up a ‘melee’ that took place soon after involving punters who had spotted the attack, Mr Stone said.

Defence barrister Jonathan Coode said a ‘genuinely remorseful’ Conheeney, who gave a no comment during a police interview, did not realise the small cocktail glass was in his hand.

He presented more than 15 character references, including one from a retired police officer, showing how ‘talented’ and ‘polite’ Conheeney is.

Mr Drummond, who admitted he had drunk more than 20 units of alcohol, was physically violent first, pushing Conheeney to the chest, Mr Coode said.

Conheeney repeatedly asked his victim to ‘leave him alone’ after Mr Drummond made ‘extremely unpleasant’ comments about the defendant’s girlfriend and ex-partner.

Mr Coode went on to say it was a single blow which caused the ‘real damage’ to Mr Drummond, who became frustrated that Conheeney refused to talk to him before the attack.

Conheeney was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work, was made subject to a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and told to pay a victim surcharge and £500 costs.