A PUB-GOER who was felled in a street attack had to undergo surgery to have a metal plate and screws inserted in his fractured jaw, a court heard.

The man had been in a pub on Bridge Street, Keighley, last November when he was confronted by aggressive 38-year-old Luke Thompson, who had already been thrown out of the premises because of his behaviour.

The complainant left the pub, but he was followed by Thompson who continued to shout at him.

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye told Bradford Crown Court that when the man turned round to ask Thompson what his problem was the defendant punched him hard to the left side of his face.

Miss Kaye said the complainant went to the ground and was briefly unconscious, but the court heard that the man was able to get back to his feet as Thompson left the area.

Thompson’s victim was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a fracture to his jaw.

Miss Kaye said the man had to have an operation to stabilise his jaw, but in a victim impaçt statement he said he was still suffering a lot of pain from the injury.

Thompson, of Third Avenue, Keighley, was located by police, but he became aggressive and began kicking out during his arrest.

Miss Kaye said he made threats to bite an officer and told other officers: ”I’ll see you in the pub and I’ll bang you out as well.”

She said Thompson had previous convictions for violent offences on his lengthy criminal record and he had been made the subject of a new banning order by Keighley Pubwatch.

Thompson originally faced an allegation of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but the prosecution accepted his guilty plea to the lesser offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He also admitted assaulting an emergency worker during his arrest.

Barrister Gerald Hendron, for Thompson, said there was a different side to his client when he was not drinking and since he was released from his last prison sentence he had been working and facing up to his responsibilities.

He said there was a glowing reference from his employer and he was described as a valued worker.

Recorder Simon Eckersley sentenced Thompson to a total of 25 months in prison and also made him subject to a five-year restraining order which bans him from contacting the complainant.

He said rather than going home after being ejected from the pub Thompson had targeted his next victim for “mindless violence”.

“It’s clear, certainly within the pre-sentence report, that you have little thought for your victim even now,” noted Recorder Eckersley.

“I’m afraid I come to the conclusion you have little regret.

“The two letters speak very highly of you...and when you’re not in drink there is a really good side to you.”