A MAN dressed in a high-visibility jacket punched a student in the face during a bar brawl in Southampton.

Daniel Noonan, 23, hit bar worker and university student Kane Jackson in the face after he tried to restrain him during a confrontation at the Wild Lime in Portswood.

Mr Jackson suffered a swollen eye from blow and was forced to take a week off work and from studying for his mechanical engineering course at the University of Southampton.

Now Noonan has been jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to a charge of causing actual bodily harm (ABH).

Southampton Crown Court heard how the incident took place at the Wild Lime, on Portswood Road, on March 20.

Prosecutor David Taylor told the court how Noonan was drinking in the bar with friends at around 11.55pm when his group were asked to finish up their drinks and leave.

Mr Taylor said a confrontation broke out with another customer at the bar and Noonan was pushed out of the bar by his friend.

Noonan re-entered the bar, but was pushed back out by a security guard.

Mr Taylor said Noonan re-entered the bar for a third time and a scuffle broke out with him and the fellow customer.

Mr Jackson, who was working part-time at the bar while studying at university, attempted to put Noonan in a headlock in order to break-up the fight.

But he was punched by Noonan's friend, Daniel Spate, who was not prosecuted as it was judged that he was acting in the defence of another.

After being punched, Mr Jackson released Noonan from a headlock and Noonan then threw three punches at Mr Jackson – one of which connected with his face.

The court heard Mr Jackson was taken to hospital due to suffering issues with his vision – which has since been resolved.

Mr Taylor said Mr Jackson was forced to take a week off work and university due to his injury and later failed his exam, before retaking the tests and passing months later.

In mitigation, Thomas Acworth said Noonan, who was serving a prison sentence for a previous assault had learned his lesson during his time in prison.

He said: "He has undertaken volunteering work while in prison. He is making the most of his situation to ensure his errant behaviour is fixed."

Noonan, of Pearl Square, Great Bellow, Chelmsford, refused to leave his prison cell in HMP Chelmsford and was sentenced in his absence.

In sentencing, Judge Peter Henry said: "This was drunken and unacceptable behaviour by you.

"Mr Jackson suffered not only swelling to his eye but had difficulty seeing and had to take time off work and take a break from studying."

Noonan also pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing a police officer, by giving a fake name and date of birth, but was given no separate penalty.