A THUG bottled his sister's ex in an unprovoked attack — but avoided jail because a judge was impressed that he had sought anger management counselling.

Lee Isherwood attacked the man in a bar in Bury in June last year, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Timothy Greenald, prosecuting, told Judge Peter Davies how 26-year-old Daniel Talbot was in 101 Bar in Silver Street when he was attacked by Isherwood.

The pair did not speak to each other but 10 minutes after first seeing him Isherwood hit Mr Talbot on the forehead with a bottle in an unprovoked attack.

Mr Greenald said: "Mr Talbot was stunned by the blow and nearly collapsed."

The bottle smashed, cutting Mr Talbot's face and both men were thrown out of the bar.

He added that at the time Mr Talbot did not realise it was Isherwood who had hit him and only learnt afterwards from other witnesses.

Mr Greenald added: "The motive for Isherwood's attack is apparently born out of the relationship Mr Talbot had with his sister."

The court was told that Isherwood, of Hillside Road, Ramsbottom, had a sudden and momentary loss of control and had lashed out only once.

Since then he has undergone anger management counselling and is remorseful.

Judge Davies told Isherwood it was only his good references and the efforts he had made to get counselling that persuaded him not to jail him immediately.

He said: "Ordinarily you would be going to custody straight away."

Isherwood was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

He was also ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work, pay his victim £800 compensation, take part in a behaviour programme and be supervised by the probation service for 12 months.