A MAN who permanently scarred another man in a drunken attack must stay off alcohol completely for 45 days - or go to jail.

Richard William George Webster, 24, must also pay £1,000 compensation to the tourist he punched on Ouse Bridge on February 5 in an unprovoked assault.

Cathy Turnbull, prosecuting, said Webster’s action ruined what should have been a weekend to remember for the victim and his friends.

Webster, of Seventh Avenue, Tang Hall, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm on the day he was due to stand trial.

Richard Goodacre, sitting with two other York magistrates, said: “This was a particularly nasty unprovoked attack, committed only only whilst you were subject to a previous community order but also whilst you were inebriated and in drink.”

They gave him a 23-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months on condition he wears a tag to detect if he has a drink for 45 days and does 20 days’ rehabilitative activities.

His solicitor Adam Henry said: “Without the alcohol in his system, he would not have lashed out.”

Webster was remorseful and had not drunk alcohol since the incident, said the solicitor.

Ms Turnbull said the victim was a London professional, who was part of a stag party on Ouse Bridge at 2am on Sunday February 5 when they saw Webster relieving himself on the river bank below.

They teased him and he responded by coming up the stairs and despite the victim grabbing his arms to restrain him, hit the victim in the face.

He suffered a split lip that needed suturing at hospital and has left a permanent scar, said Ms Turnbull.

The victim said: “The incident ruined the whole weekend.”

Webster told a probation officer he had been drinking for five hours before the incident.

Mr Henry said Webster was willing to meet the victim in person to say sorry for what he had done.