A MAN who punched someone harassing his family and knocked him to the ground has been spared jail - because the judge was convinced it was out of character and he will not reoffend.

Wesley Winder received a phone call from his mother-in-law to say an unwanted guest, Wayne Shaw, was at her home on Bullows Road in Little Hulton.

The man in question had been bailed from court and ordered not to return to there, Manchester Crown Court heard.

But in a drunken state he returned and smashed her windows so the woman called on her son-in-law, the court was told.

Winder went there on the evening of February 15 last year and came across Mr Shaw on the way. He punched him and he hit his head on the way to the ground.

Mr Shaw was arrested but when spoken to by police Winder admitted he had punched him.

It was seven months before police spoke to him again and September this year before the matter came to court.

The 34-year-old appeared in Manchester Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced for grievous bodily harm.

The court heart Mr Shaw had fractured his nasal bone, cheek bone and sinus. The prosecution accepted it was a single punch.

Representing Winder, of Bank Grove, Worsley, Matthew Howarth said: “There has been no further offending, he is of exemplary character and has no previous convictions.

“He is the sole provider to his children aged 14 and 10.”

He added that due to the issues with Mr Shaw he planned to leave area.

Judge Alan Conrad QC said: “It is to his credit he hasn’t put forward a claim of self defence.”

Imposing a sentence, he said: “It is sad to see such a person as you facing sentence for a serious criminal charge.

“You are 34 years of age and I have read of your positive good character.

“You are here because of the serious facial injuries to the victim in this case.

“There is a great deal of mitigation.”

He imposed a six-month suspended prison sentence.