A DISABLED man who was involved in an unprovoked attack outside a pub has escaped being sent to prison.

Father-of-two Christian Jameson, 31, who is also known as Frost, admitted assaulting Daryl King outside the Red Lion pub in Wareham on June 30 last year, causing actual bodily harm.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Jameson, who walks on crutches and is registered disabled, had downed eight or nine pints of lager and up to eight shots of whisky.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Joanna Morrissey said Jameson had suddenly punched Mr King after he went to the aid of another man who had been injured in a fight.

Mr King fell back, hit his head and was knocked unconscious. He was taken to hospital where he received treatment for a head wound.

Jameson from Blind Lane, Wimborne, fled from the scene but later handed himself in to the police.

When he was being interviewed by officers he insisted he had acted in self-defence.

In his defence, the court heard how Jameson had ended up at the Red Lion following a heavy drinking session and mistakenly felt under threat.

Since the incident, he had been receiving counselling and taken steps to address his "issues" and had pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

Recorder Jane Miller QC told Jameson his actions had been unprovoked and an attack in a public place deserved to be met with an immediate prison sentence.

After hearing how Jameson's wife would lose her job if he was sent to prison, she imposed a 26-week sentence suspended for two years.

Jameson will be supervised by the probation service for two years and was ordered to attend an anger replacement training programme.