A man who struck a woman with a glass as violence flared on his birthday has been handed a suspended jail term.

Carlisle Crown Court heard 26-year-old scaffolder Marc Austin became involved in an argument at the city's Royal Scot pub on April 6.

Zoe Green punched him in fear that he would attack her.

But in response, Austin then punched Miss Green four or five times in the head while holding a glass, which shattered.

Miss Green needed hospital treatment for a gash which was glued and later suffered headaches and sleepless nights.

Austin pleaded guilty to assault, causing actual bodily harm, and damaging a pub table. He was sentenced today by Recorder Kevin Grice.

Having heard the father-of-three was in full-time employment, the judge suspended an eight-month prison term for 18-months.

Austin, of Westrigg Road, Carlisle, must complete 80 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was told by Recorder Grice: "This was an unpleasant piece of violence."