A 22-YEAR-OLD Cradley Heath man has avoided jail after he viciously headbutted a man acting as peacemaker in an angry confrontation outside a pub.

Judge Kristin Montgomery QC told Joseph Stavin the argument had been fairly “muted” but he had decided to “up the ante” by turning verbal aggression into violence which left the victim scarred for life.

She said Stavin had been swinging out with his fists and that lead to his anger escalating when he decided to use his head as a weapon.

The judge added: "I have seen a photograph of your victim and the horrible injury you caused which has had a long lasting effect on him.

“Everywhere he goes for the rest of his life people will be able to see his scar and you are responsible for that.”

Stavin, of Sandwell Grove, admitted wounding Daniel Sullivan outside The Bell pub, Stourbridge, and was given a 12-month jail term suspended for a year.

He was further told to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community and made the subject of a three-month curfew between the hours of 7pm and 5am.

The judge barred him from going to The Bell for the next three months and told him he must also pay £400 costs.

Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said Mr Sullivan tried to calm things down during a disturbance in the pub which lead to a number of people being ejected.

Stavin had been aggressive and his anger continued outside the premises when he drew his head back and butted Mr Sullivan in the forehead leaving him with a cut over his right eye that needed six stitches.

Simon Hanns, defending, said Stavin’s recollection of the incident was hazy because of the alcohol he had downed.

He told Wolverhampton Crown Court: “He is disgusted with himself.

“His conduct was entirely out of order. He accepts he has an issue with alcohol. In alcohol he clearly cannot control himself.”

The court was told that in a victim impact statement Mr Sullivan told police his scar was very visible, it had affected his confidence and he continues to suffer headaches as a result of the blow.

The judge told Stavin it was vital he used the chance he had been given to sort out his alcohol problems and put his life back on track.