A drunken thug headbutted and then glassed a man in a Carlisle nightclub.

Lewis Allan Murray, 26, was initially involved in an amicable discussion with Daniel Balmer inside the city’s Bambu nightclub during the early hours of November 12 last year.

Mr Balmer also placed his hand on Murray’s shoulder in a “friendly gesture”, the two men having been involved in a street incident in 2012.

But prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told Carlisle Crown Court: “Shortly after that, and very suddenly, Mr Balmer turned to walk away.

“He was headbutted to the face by Mr Murray.

“That was then followed up by a strike with a fist to the face - and in that fist was a glass Mr Murray was holding.”

Mr Balmer fell backwards, went to the floor and saw his attacker standing over him before “hurling” the glass at his head.

The victim - left bleeding heavily - passed out, was taken to hospital and treated for injuries which included two black eyes and a 4cm head cut above one eye which needed stitches.

Murray strolled out of the club and past police.

“That walk turned into a run as he ran away through Carlisle city centre,” said Mr Rogerson.

Paul Tweddle, defending, said Murray ran a building company which employed eight staff and two apprentice bricklayers, and which had landed a contact in southern Scotland worth about £500,000.

He also ran a gym in Lockerbie, took boxing lessons and taught the sport to others.

He had been “extremely intoxicated” on the night of the attack, but had abstained from alcohol since.

“There are two very different sides to this man’s character,” said Mr Tweddle.

“He is a man who needs to learn. He needs to ensure he does not let himself down in this Jekyll and Hyde fashion.”

Murray, of Main Road, Ecclefechan, admitted unlawful wounding.

He was said to have several previous convictions for violence.

He was jailed or 18 months by Judge James Adkin.

“What you did on that night was, in essence, drunken thuggery in Carlisle city centre,” Judge Adkin said.

“And I am afraid that such behaviour will be dealt with severely by these courts.”