A PUB customer whose nose was broken in an unprovoked attack has endured months of medical problems, a court heard.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Matthew Kenner and his girlfriend were at the Seven Stars pub, Harwood at 9pm December 27, 2014.

Also in the pub was a group of people including 29-year-old Tommy Dawson.

Lindsay Thomas, prosecuting, told the court: “During the evening an employee at the pub spoke with a group of customers.

“They were being boisterous and misbehaving themselves and one of the group was the defendant.

“Without any warning or provocation he punched Mr Kenner in the face.”

The single blow fractured Mr Kenner’s nose and bruised around his eye.

Mrs Thomas said that Mr Kenner underwent surgery but has continued to have breathing problems and difficulties with his sense of smell.

He now faces further surgery to break and reset his nose.

Recorder Eric Lamb was told that Dawson, of Astley Brook Close, Bolton, had a previous criminal record for violence.

After the attack, he went on to cause criminal damage to vehicles.

Dawson, a father of two, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Mr Kenner.

Kimberley Morton, defending, stressed that he had immediately apologised to his victim after hitting him.

She said: "The defendant was extremely shocked when he became aware of the injuries to the complainant.”

She added that Dawson acts as a carer for his partner and four-year-old child.

Recorder Lamb told Dawson: “There are problems with you showing off to your peers and others you are with and you have demonstrated, through your young life, that you are not able to control your alcohol consumption.

“You were asked to leave by the victim and you resorted to assaulting him.”

Sentencing Dawson to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, Recorder Lamb added that his home life showed a different side to his character.

Dawson was also ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work, will be supervised by the probation service for 12 months and will be electronically tagged and subject to a 7pm to 7am curfew for three months.