A CARLISLE man who attacked a former friend with a beer glass after the man failed to repay a loan has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Martyn Armstrong, 28, marched into the city’s Griffin pub in Court Square, poured beer over his victim, then smashed the glass on to his head and began punching him, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant, of Newtown Road, Carlisle, admitted unlawful wounding.

During an online Skype hearing linked to the city's crown court, prosecutor Charles Brown described how the victim was sitting at a table in the pub at about 6pm on February 14 when Armstrong came in looking for him.

Finding his former friend sitting at a table drinking on the pub's first floor, he walked over to his table.

“He then picked up his pint of beer, poured it over his head and struck [him] over the head with the pint glass before punching him several times,” Mr Brown told the court.

The victim suffered a head wound so serious that doctors had to close it with four staples but the man did not want to support the prosecution.

The defendant had no previous convictions other than a caution for battery in 2010, the court heard.

Brendan Burke, for Armstrong, said he was in full-time employment and he had positive references.

“The Probation Service are satisfied that his remorse is genuine,” said the barrister.

Judge Nicholas Barker told Armstrong: “At the age of 28, you have decided to commit a serious offence on someone who was a friend of yours.”

The victim had fallen out of favour with the defendant after failing to repay a loan which Armstrong had given him, no doubt angering the defendant, noted the judge.

“But that in no way provided any justification to commit what you did, which was a serious act of violence in a public place,” continued the judge.

“You walked into the Griffin pub, you picked up a pint glass, poured the beer over his head, and smashed the glass on to his head, causing a wound to the back of his head.

“You punched him five times before you left and that is a serious act of violence.”

The offence deserved immediate custody but certain features of the case allowed him to draw back from that, said Judge Barker.

These included the defendant’s previous good character, and his full-time employment, and the attitude of the victim.

The judge imposed a 15 month jail term, but suspended it for 24 months.

In addition, Armstrong must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days, and 200 hours of unpaid work in the community.

The judge declined to make a compensation order.

“If you act in a violent way again," Judge Barker told Armstrong, "it's very likely that the court would have little or no sympathy and would feel it has no option but to lock you up.”