A FEW days after smashing a bottle into a man's face in a Bolton nightclub Mark Walsh emigrated to Gran Canaria.

Walsh held his leaving party at the Ikon nightclub in 1999 because he was leaving to start a new life.

Two years later he returned to the UK and handed himself into police. And yesterday Judge William Morris jailed him for six months

Walsh, aged 24, of De Lacy Drive, Bolton, appeared at Bolton Crown Court to be sentenced for unlawful wounding and failing to surrender to bail.

Prosecutor Richard Heap said Walsh had been "eyeballing" his victim who was out with his girlfriend having a good time and not looking for trouble.

Walsh then struck the man on the head with what was probably a bottle, which broke on impact, cutting the man's face just over his left eye, leaving him needing three stitches.

When Walsh was arrested by police he was too drunk to be interviewed and later, when he had sobered up, he made no comment.

In June this year he surrendered himself at Bolton police station. The court was told that he had 18 previous court appearances for offences including affray, assault and dishonesty.

Michael Hayton, defending, said that previously Walsh had been addicted to smoking heroin but gave it up when he was last imprisoned.

Shortly after the attack he emigrated to Gran Canaria and held his farewell party at the Ikon nightclub in Bolton.

Mr Hayton said Walsh had been plied with drink and that the victim had slapped him round the back of the head before Walsh had hit him. Walsh said he had forgotten he was holding bottle in his hand when he hit the man.

Walsh was charged and then left for Gran Canaria as planned returning in June this year when he heard about the warrant out for his arrest.