A REDDITCH man has been given a suspended jail sentence for breaking another man's jaw in an unprovoked attack after an evening out drinking.

40-year-old Steven Evans, of Goldthorne Close in Headless Cross, was with a group of women in the town centre when he thought he heard Alex Flood insulting them, Worcester Crown court was told.

Wendy Miller, prosecuting, said Mr Flood had just left a nightclub at 3.30am on December 20 last year and was with some friends.

"They were having a laugh and a joke about a video that had gone wrong and started singing 'you've got no fans,'" Miss Miller told the court.

The women were nearby and Evans thought the comments were directed at them. He swung a punch at Mr Flood's head but it didn't connect, Miss Miller said. Mr Flood said he had meant no offence but then started singing 'you've got no fans' again so Evans punched him on the jaw.

It was fractured and needed the insertion of a metal plate, Miss Miller said.

Evans initially told police he could not remember the incident because he had been drinking but Mr Flood picked him out in an identification procedure.

He pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Diljit Bachada, defending, said father-of-two Evans had no previous convictions and was a hard-working man with ties in the community.

She said he had mistakenly thought Mr Flood was being disrespectful to the women.

"He apologises and is deeply shocked at the injury he has caused," she said.

Recorder Paul Bleasdale, QC, said it was "entirely an unprovoked attack."

"People who use violence in the street can't use drink as an excuse," he said.

Evans was given a sentence of 12 months suspended for 18 months.