AN AMATEUR rugby league player was spared jail for a punch that broke an opponent's cheekbone during a match in Keighley.

Omar Al Rawi had been warned by Judge David Hatton QC at an earlier hearing to expect a prison sentence for the blow that felled Owen Palmer.

But at Bradford Crown Court today, Judge Hatton gave Al Rawi a 16-month jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered him to do 240 hours' unpaid work.

"During the course of what was seemingly a heated game of rugby you, for no obvious or apparent reason, struck another player, causing him to fall to the ground and suffer serious injury," said Judge Hatton.

But he added: "Equally, I am satisfied that the extent of these injuries was something that you could not have reasonably foreseen from what was a single punch. They are injuries you most certainly did not intend to cause, of that I am also satisfied."

Prosecutor Dave McKay told the court that the attack happened about 20 minutes into the second half of a match between Mr Palmer's now-folded Keighley ARLFC and Al Rawi's Queens Amateur Rugby League Football Club on April 19 last year, at the St John's Road ground in Utley, near Keighley.

He said an altercation was taking place on the pitch, but that neither man was involved.

"Owen Palmer was stood five to ten metres away watching the altercation," said Mr McKay. "The defendant ran towards him but Mr Palmer presumed he was heading towards the altercation.

"Next thing he was punched to the right eye and cheek. He fell to the floor and that was witnessed by a number of people."

Mr McKay said Mr Palmer was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary for surgery and had metal plates inserted around his eye area.

"Mr Palmer still has days when he cannot see out of his right eye," said Mr McKay. "He gets pain in his face. He still has a loose tooth which is causing particular pain. And the plate is still inserted nearly a year on."

On the attack, Mr McKay added: "The defendant said he was there but denied being the person who delivered the punch."

Al Rawi had initially denied causing Mr Palmer grievous bodily harm, but pleaded guilty just before his trial.

Sean Smith, defending, said: "This was an isolated incident during a heated rugby match. It got a little out of control and tempers have flared."

Mr Smith said his client had no previous convictions, was of previous good character, and had expressed remorse for what he did.

The court also heard that unemployed Al Rawi, 25, of Lawnswood, Leeds, had done a lot of voluntary work.

Keighley ARLFC coach Keith Dixon described Mr Palmer - who is a postman - as a "good lad" who did well at the club, and said Al Rawi's punch was a "cheap shot".

"We play rugby league and we accept an odd punch, but something like that, when the lad had his back turned, that is not needed," said Mr Dixon.

"You don't mind toe-to-toe with somebody - that is kind of par for the course. But cheap shots like that are not needed."

Mr Dixon added that Mr Palmer had been advised on medical grounds to no longer play rugby.