A SCAFFOLDER who assaulted a man outside a pub has been jailed for ten months.

Sentencing Keith Bretherton at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Denis Clark said: "Your victim was taunted inside the pub while he was doing no more than having a drink.

"You delivered a very powerful and cowardly blow to his face rendering him unconscious.

"He was out of the game and a policeman saw you aim three blows with your foot towards him. It shows your callous disregard for a man you had rendered unconscious. It is because you cannot hold your drink."

Bretherton, 31, of Fairhurst Street, Leigh, had pleaded guilty to wounding David Smith

Stephen Knapp, prosecuting, said Bretherton had been making a nuisance of himself in the Eagle & Hawk public house in Leigh on February 28 and had been asked to leave.

He made threats about coming back and was followed out by some of the customers including Mr Smith.

Bretherton's friends tried to restrain him but he punched Mr Smith in the face with his fist and they both fell to the floor. By-standers heard the victim's head hit the ground with " a sickening thump", said Mr Knapp.

Police arrived and Bretherton was seen standing over his prone victim kicking out at him and he was arrested. Mr Smith had suffered lacerations and grazes including a cut to his chin which needed four stitches.

The court heard that he has previous convictions including serving six months for assault.

Defence barrister, Michael Brogan, said that outside the pub Bretherton had the drunken perception that Mr Smith was going to have a go at him.

During the hearing Mr Brogan also said that Bretherton lived with his partner and child in their mortgaged home.

Judge Clark pointed out that on his legal aid form Bretherton had stated he did not have a mortgage and ordered that court officials look at the form again.