A BRIDGWATER man who broke another man’s jaw in a drunken attack has narrowly avoided jail.

Michael Turner, 18, of Shire Street, told Taunton Crown Court he felt deeply remorseful about the attack.

The court heard how on August 10 last year Shire was out in Bridgwater when two males walked past him.

Turner thought his victim and his friend said something to him and he turned and said to him: “What did you say?”

Prosecuting, William Hunter said: “Turner punched him and the two grappled and fell to the floor. He turned to the victim and said he wanted to fight him but the victim said he didn’t want to fight.

“The victim said he could have two free punches and then he was going home. “He hit Taylor in the face and then punched him and knocked him to the ground.”

Taylor was taken to hospital and needed three metal plates and screws and had to drink liquid foods for two weeks. CCTV showed the incident and helped identify Turner.

Defending, Harry Ahuja said that when Turner heard how serious his victim’s injury he handed himself into police.

He added: “He had just turned 18 and deeply regrets what happened.

“He walked away after throwing the punches and was unaware that the victim was unconscious and had no idea how serious the injury was.

“He is appalled by his behaviour and is remorseful for the injury caused. The incident was wholly out of character for him and he accepts full responsibility for what took place.

“He is a hard-working young man who has no previous convictions. This is one grave mistake in his short life.”

Sentencing, Justice Simon Levene read character references from the defendant’s family and employers.

He said: “This was a shockingly bad injury and you are lucky that the victim will need no further treatment and has not suffered psychological harm.

“You are very young, you had a good record, you are remorseful and this was an isolated attack. I give you credit for your early guilty plea.”

Turner received a suspended sentence of 16 months imprisonment for two years for the one count of GBH.

He was also given 120 hours unpaid work in the community, a requirement not to be found drinking in Bridgwater for 12 months and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation and a victim surcharge of £100.