Nathaniel Michael Milivojevic, 25, pleaded guilty to wounding Lee Randall who was left permanently scared as a result of the attack.

The court heard that the victim had been on a night out with friends when words were exchanged ‘over a girl’. The two went their separate ways, but met ‘by chance’ as they headed to a local taxi rank.

Milivojevic hit his victim with a bottle which broke as a result of the blow, causing Mr Randall to sustain deep cuts and a torn ear.

Handing down a sentence of two and a half years, Judge Stephen Ashurst said, ‘There is no alternative. I take the view such a sentence is necessary to protect the public from you as you are unwilling or unable to mend your ways.’

Milivojevic was already on bail when the attack occurred and has chalked up a number of previous convictions for violent acts including an assault on a police officer.