A THUG who launched an attack on a man he suspected of threatening his girlfriend has been spared jail.

Daniel Kelly punched Christian McKeown two days after the pair had met in the street and traded insults.

Bolton Crown Court heard that on September 13 last year, the pair met while walking to the shops in Jedburgh Avenue, Halliwell.

Kelly launched into a foul mouthed rant against Mr McKeown before lunging at him and throwing a punch — causing him to fall to the floor.

The court heard Mr McKeown was briefly unconscious following a struggle — and the next thing he remembered was seeing his ankle at an unusual angle.

Mr McKeown’s mother and sister saw the fight, and his mother said his ankle “reminded her of footballers when they snap their ankle” and that it made her feel sick.

The victim's ankle was fractured and required surgery leaving Mr McKeown on crutches for a month — but the court heard it was not clear how he sustained the injury.

The 24-year-old still needs further because his ankle has not healed correctly.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, Mr McKeown said he has had problems sleeping and also suffers from panic attacks.

He said: “This incident has completely ruined my life. I used to play sports and was very active.

“I have also had to give up searching for the work I was looking for, because of its physical nature and because the safety boots I would have to wear were uncomfortable.”

Kelly has previous convictions for violence.

He was also jailed for 18 months after being convicted of arson in 2007 when he caused £20,000 worth of damage to the Stationery Suite shop in Winter Hey Lane, Horwich.

Defending, Thomas Fitzpatrick said Kelly was “drinking in the last chance saloon”.

Judge Elliot Knopf said: “You are far too fond of lashing out with your fists.

“The problem is that it is not at all clear to me as to how it was that this young man sustained the injury to his ankle.

“I have given very serious consideration to sending you to prison immediately — but I am going to give you one last chance.

“If you commit any further offences or you do not comply with the directions I make and you come back here, you will go to prison.”

The 25-year-old, of Wilderswood Avenue, was sentenced to 14 months in prison suspended for two years, and must attend a programme aimed at combating violent behaviour.

He will also be supervised for 18 months and have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay compensation of £500 and costs of £1,000.