A TEENAGE binman has been ordered to do 200 hours' community service after kicking a man in the head and breaking his cheekbone outside a nightclub.

A judge told the 18-year-old he had come close to sending him to prison yesterday but spared him after being informed that he came from a "good family" and had no previous convictions.

David Wilson admitted assault causing actual bodily harm after an incident near Studio in Old Town on Friday, September 22, last year.

A doorman told police he saw the 18-year-old kick the victim in the head.

Prosecuting at Swindon Crown Court, Colin Meeke said: "The victim was out with friends celebrating his 19th birthday. As he left Studio nightclub he fell into company with this defendant.

"They squared up to each other for some reason. The doorman was aware of an incident outside the club and he saw the pair squaring up."

He said the victim swung a punch at Wilson but missed. Wilson then slapped him to the back of the head and punched him a couple of times.

The victim fell to the floor and Wilson lashed out, kicking him in the face.

The victim was taken to hospital and Wilson was arrested not far from the scene.

Defending, Robin Shellard said Wilson, who also works for clothes shop Next, had lost his job as a binman after the attack came to light.

He said: "It was, regrettably, young men squaring up to each other after both sides had taken too much drink.

"It's something looking back now that he can't believe that he got drunk enough to do it or was stupid enough to kick out."

He added: "This is a young man that doesn't drink very much, that doesn't take drugs and has every possible future in front of him."

Judge Douglas Field handed Wilson a community order with 200 hours' unpaid work.

He told Wilson: "The court deals with these matters as a serious incident.

"All too often young men have too much to drink, they go to a nightclub and then there's violence on the streets.

"In this particular case there were serious injuries to your victim."

He added: "I accept that you have shown remorse, that you come from a good family and that until this incident you had a good work record.

"Having seriously considered custody I decided in all the circumstances I can make a community order."