A DRINKER who knocked a man out because he wrongly believed he had wolf-whistled at his girlfriend has been spared jail.

Ground worker Leon Burberry left his victim unconscious with a punch which could have killed him in the town centre assault, Swindon Crown Court was told.

But after hearing that the 23-year-old father-of-two needed help for his anger, and landed just one blow, a judge imposed a suspended sentence.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said Craig Sawyer, a man in his 30s, was out with friends on Saturday, November 1, and were heading home past the Sir Daniel Arms in the early hours of the Sunday.

Although he remembers nothing of the incident, a nearby policeman heard a small commotion from a group outside the bar and witnessed the attack.

"He saw Mr Sawyer with his arms held up to either side of his face. he described it as a placatory action," Mr Meeke said.

"He saw Leon Burberry draw back his shoulder and punch Mr Sawyer with a clenched fist to the face.

"Mr Sawyer's head snapped back violently. He appeared unconscious."

The officer rushed over and following a violent struggle managed to arrest the defendant amid a flurry of vile comments from him.

Mr Sawyer suffered multiple corneal abrasions to his eye, a chipped tooth which required expensive dental work and the after effects of concussion.

Mr Meeke said the defendant claimed the victim had wolf-whistled at his girlfriend, which is something he expressly denies.

Burberry, of Upfield, Liden, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm. The court heard he had a string of convictions for violence and was on a community order at the time.

James Burke, defending, said it was a one punch attack which was another incident which took place when he was drunk.

"The pre-sentence report reflects the fact that he recognises that he had to deal with the problem of his becoming aggressive when in drink," he said.

His client is father to two young girls aged six and two years old and while he is separated from their mum has them twice during the week and every other weekend.

He is in full time employment as a ground worker and contributes £75 a week to the girls as well as buying clothes and other things for them, he said.

Passing sentence Recorder Marcus Davey said: "In the early hours of November 2 it would appear you thought Mr Sawyer made a wolf-whistle towards your girlfriend Chloe Hughes.

"It would appear you were wrong: and if he did, frankly, so what?

"It became clear Craig Sawyer did not, and it was obvious to you, Craig Sawyer did not want a physical confrontation.

"Despite that you punched him to the face with considerable force, it was sufficient to cause him to fall unconscious to the floor. At the time you were clearly out of control.

"That sort of violence in the public street, late at night in front of other people, simply can't be tolerated.

"You counsel has said you are a caring father to two young girls. Imagine if they had seen you behaving in that way that night, you physically assaulted that man."

"It is a matter of pure luck and chance he was not more seriously harmed. If you punch someone in that way they can be killed: they can be maimed for life. That is the chance you took when you threw that punch."

He imposed a six-month jail term suspended for 18 months with supervision, 250 hours of unpaid work, £500 compensation, £300 costs and a victim surcharge.