A THUG who attacked a man from behind and broke his jaw during a town centre brawl has been told he will not serve an immediate jail sentence.

Victim Thomas Webster needed surgery and spent four days in hospital following the attack in Bradshawgate, Bolton, on the night of March 23.

His attacker, 22-year-old Kyle Choudry was arrested two months later at Manchester Airport as he tried to board an aeroplane to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

At Bolton Crown Court Charlotte Crangle, prosecuting, told how 23-year-old Mr Webster had gone to the town centre for a night out with his girlfriend, arriving by taxi outside Yates’ just before midnight.

She added that the last thing he can remember before waking up in hospital the next day is walking towards the bar’s dance floor.

Recorder Kate Blackwell QC was shown CCTV footage of Mr Webster involved in an altercation with a man named Mark Topps outside Shots Bar in Bradshawgate, with a group of other people surrounding them and, on occasion, trying to pull them apart.

Then Choudry, who had been among the group, walked up behind Mr Webster and hit him.

“He strikes him to the back of the head, which causes him to fall, flat out, face down on the ground,” said Miss Crangle.

Mr Webster was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital and then transferred to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where he underwent surgery for a fractured jaw and was treated for a cut chin and lower lip.

In a victim statement he said he still has a numb lower lip and loose teeth.

Topps was arrested the same night and has been sentenced by magistrates to a 12 month community order for assault.

After Choudry was arrested at Manchester Airport Miss Crangle said he claimed he had drunk so much he could not recall hitting Mr Webster.

“He couldn’t remember that part of the night or what he had done,” she said.

Choudry, a father-of-one, of Old Mill Close, Horwich, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Kevin Liston, defending, stressed that Choudry has learning difficulties and has been treated for anxiety and depression.

He added that Choudry knew Potts from the gym, had only struck one blow to Mr Webster and is remorseful about his behaviour.

“He gets himself involved in an incident that is rolling out in front of him,” he said.

Recorder Blackwell said she accepted Choudry’s ADHD had affected his thinking.

“This difficulty undoubtedly had an impact on your maturity and level of control,” she said.

“You are lucky that, on this occasion, the injury was not fatal.”

Choudry was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He will also be electronically tagged and subject to a 9pm to 5am curfew for three months, must undertake 10 days of rehabilitation activities and pay £500 compensation plus a £140 victim surcharge.