A SEDGLEY man who broke a former friend's jaw after punching him in the face has been told he must pay him £3,500 compensation.

After a heated row with his girlfriend, Johnathon Wright had gone to confront a woman sitting in the Clifton bar, Sedgley, with victim Christopher Dowty.

The 36-year-old then grabbed Mr Dowty by his clothing and dragged him from his chair before throwing the single blow that fractured his jaw.

Heather Chamberlin, prosecuting, said Wright was then ejected from the bar and Mr Dowty went into the toilet area where he managed to click his jaw back into place.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that for weeks after the attack, Mr Dowty could only eat soft food, his speech was affected, he had trouble sleeping and he was now anxious about going out.

Miss Chamberlin added that Mr Dowty was in pain when he walked and a number of teeth had been left out of line.

Wright, of Springfield Grove, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and was given a six month jail term, suspended for two years.

He must also pay £340 court costs and carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

Judge Mark Eades said it was a serious offence because it happened in a public place "where people go for leisure," he had been drinking and he had to be dragged away from Mr Dowty.

Oliver Woolhouse, defending, said Wright, a father-of-one, had been going through a difficult patch at the time and he had argued with his partner.

As a consequence of that row, he had charged into the Clifton to confront the woman with the victim.

"Things were said and he reacted badly," he added.

"He knows there is no excuse for what he did. He is full of remorse for his actions and he has apologised to the victim. He had consumed some alcohol and he threw just one blow."

The court was told Wright and the victim had known each other socially for some time and it was clear, said the judge, that he had "drunk too much."