A FLOOD victim must pay £1,000 compensation after he broke the jaw of a drinker who had offered to buy a round of drinks then changed his mind.

Complainant Carlos Delacruz had offered to buy drinks for customers at the Londesborough Arms in Selby town centre on January 9, but then decided not to pay when bar staff had the drinks ready on the counter, York Crown Court heard.

Austin Newman, prosecuting, said when staff removed the drinks, he was abusive towards them and argued with one of the would-be recipients of the drinks, Kevin David Payne, 28, who objected to Mr Delacruz’s behaviour.

As Mr Delacruz turned his back, Payne punched him so hard to the side of the face, he broke his jaw and made him stumble backwards. Payne then hit him again.

For Payne, Dan Cordey said he normally behaved in an “exemplary” fashion but in a moment of madness he regretted, he had hit out.

Recorder Alistair MacDonald QC said Payne may have been under stress because he had recently returned home from holiday to find his home flooded.

But it was a “thoroughly nasty injury” that Mr Delacruz had not deserved and which had meant he had to go on a liquid diet for three weeks. It was still affecting the way he ate and spoke.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Delacruz said he was a self-employed business consultant who had lost £3,000 through not being able to speak properly.

The judge gave Payne a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years on condition he does 10 days' rehabilitative activities and 180 hours' unpaid work.

Payne, of Berry Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Mr Cordey said he was in Selby working on a contract.