A MAN who left a suspected love rival with permanent scars has avoided jail.

Lee John Jones, formerly of Bine Street, Norton, appeared at York Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to unlawfully wounding Phillip Craven on May 11 last year.

Mr Craven was out with a mixed group of friends in Scarborough on May 11 last year and went to Boleyn’s nightclub.

Simon Ostler, prosecuting, said that among the group was Holly Snead, the defendant’s girlfriend.

Mr Craven was talking to Miss Snead when Jones, whom he assumed was an ex-boyfriend, approached.

Jones exchanged words with Miss Snead after which Mr Craven asked if Jones was bothering her.

Shortly after, he was pushed to the ground from behind and felt blood coming from the right side of his a mouth.

Mr Craven was helped to the toilet and it was discovered he had suffered a three-inch long cut to the cheek and a two-inch cut to his neck which needed 11 stitches after slicing a blood vessel.

But the court was told that Jones had not caused the cuts directly, rather it was suggested Mr Craven had fallen on to glass that was already on the floor. He said he now had permanent scars on his cheek and his neck.

Taryn Turner, defending, said Jones, 24, was a hard-working young man who had never been in trouble before.

Mrs Turner said her client had recently formed a relationship with Miss Snead, who admitted flirting with Mr Craven, and Jones had lost his temper.

She said that CCTV footage showed that there was just the one push and added Jones had received “a fair amount of summary justice” from the victim’s friends.

Sentencing Jones, who now lives in Scarborough, Recorder Paul Miller said: “I’m sure you did not intend any serious harm to befall Mr Craven but the fact is that your assault on him led to him coming into contact with broken glass on the floor and to him suffering lacerations which have left him with a possibly permanent cosmetic disability so he will have a daily reminder of what you did.”

Jones was sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for two years and he was given an 18-month supervision order. He was also ordered to attend an anger management programme, perform 100 hours community work, pay £1,500 compensation to Mr Craven and £500 court costs.