A SOUTHAMPTON man, who punched another pub drinker in the face three times, has been told to pay his victim £500 compensation.

Mark Carmody, 48, lashed out at Joseph Devine, knocking him to the floor and leaving him with a suspected rim fracture of an eye.

Carmody, of Channel Way, Southampton, admitted causing actual bodily harm on the basis he had been angered by a remark the victim had made to his partner.

Judge Derwin Hope warned Carmody, who had two previous convictions for assault, that he had nearly gone to prison.

Imposing a 40-week suspended sentence coupled with an order for 150 hours’ community service, Judge Derwin Hope said: “It was a close run thing but I am prepared to give you one final chance.”