A BUILDING society manager who punched his friend by mistake during a fight outside a nightspot has been spared prison.

Anthony Bailey, 20, from Cripplestyle, Fordingbridge, admitted causing Steve Reeves grievous bodily harm during the alcohol-fuelled incident on August 1 last year.

Mr Reeves needed a metal plate fitted after Bailey broke his jaw, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Angela England said violence flared after a dispute inside Bar Me in Old Christchurch Road, Bourne-mouth, spilled out on to the street.

Imposing a 12-month community order, with a requirement that Bailey carries out 200 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months, Judge John Beashel told him: “This young man has suffered a very serious injury because of your criminal behaviour. In many ways you deserve to go to prison immediately.”

He ordered Bailey to pay his victim £2,000 compensation.