A DRunken thug who left a former doorman with a smashed eye socket and cheekbone during a sustained assault in the street has walked free from court.

Shaun Goff punched his victim to the ground and when he managed to get up and try and run away he chased him into mugger’s alley shouting further threats.

But after hearing the 33-year-old had issues with drink and anger management a judge put him on a suspended sentence to allow him to get help.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the incident took place in the early hours of Saturday April 19.

She said the victim, former bouncer Paul Waby, was walking home from The Casbah with friend Ricky Woodward when they saw Goff on Bridge Street at about 4am.

Soon after meeting, violence broke out between Goff, who Mr Woodward knew, and Mr Waby with each saying the other started it.

Miss Hingston said Mr Woodward, who has mental health problems, told police the victim was bragging about being in the Territorial Army and serving in Afghanistan.

The friend of both men said Mr Waby had thrown the first punch but refused to make a formal statement saying so, and the victim did not want to come to court.

Goff then landed a flurry of blows on his victim and when he tried to get away he chased and tripped him before throttling him.

During the violence, which only stopped when the defendant’s friend pulled him off, Goff shouted ‘I’m going to kill you' and chased him into the notorious underpass off Station Road.

As a result of the attack the victim had to undergo surgery to have a plate inserted and may always suffer pain and discomfort from the injury.

Goff, of Tennyson Street, admitted grievous bodily harm.

Rob Ross, defending, said his client, who has a child from a previous relationship, needed some self respect in the way he behaves when he goes out at night.

“This is a man who, without being too unfair on him, probably hasn’t taken account of what drink can do to him,’’ he said.

Passing sentence Judge Peter Blair QC said: “I would have absolutely every justification today in sending you to prison.

“What you did causing really quite severe injury, and persisting in attacking him for some period of time, chasing him afterwards is something that is utterly reprehensible. I suspect when you are sober, as you are today, you recognise that.’’ He imposed a 16 month jail term suspended for two years with an alcohol treatment requirement and a three month curfew.