A 20-year-old Poole man who broke a friend’s jaw in two places has been given a last chance to change his criminal ways.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how the unprovoked attack on “defenceless” Nathaniel Brown had happened after violence flared during a party at Ashley Road, Parkstone, on October 29 last year.

Sam Towers, from Ashley Road, who had been released from a young offenders’ institution just weeks earlier, admitted assaulting Mr Brown, causing actual bodily harm.

The court was told how Towers, of Ashley Road, had suddenly punched Mr Brown as he stood in a doorway, knocking him unconscious.

Mr Brown was admitted to hospital and needed surgery to have two permanent metal plates fitted in his face. He was off work for a fortnight and was in pain for two months.

Defending Towers, Nigel Mitchell said his client accepted being “incredibly reckless” and had expressed remorse.

He added: “He never thought, for a second, that the punch would cause a broken jaw and wishes to apologise. He is very ashamed.”

Imposing a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years, Recorder Don Tait told Towers: “I accept you didn’t want to cause serious harm to Mr Brown, who appears to have been a friend of yours.

“You have come very close indeed to finding yourself receiving ever longer custodial sentences.

“I’m prepared to give you one last chance; you won’t get any sympathy if this happens again.”

Towers was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to Mr Brown.