A SUFFOLK builder who broke a man's jaw outside an Ipswich night club has escaped prison by "the skin of his teeth". But he was ordered to pay £4,000 compensation.

A SUFFOLK builder who broke a man's jaw outside an Ipswich night club has escaped prison by "the skin of his teeth".

But he was ordered to pay £4,000 compensation.

Ross Lorimer repeatedly punched Adam Benmore outside Liquid night club then a final blow broke Mr Benmore's jaw, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Greg Perrin prosecuting, said on November 15 last year Lorimer, 22, of The Green, Bottisham and his friend Daniel Coulson had been on a night out in Ipswich.

He said Lorimer, a keen boxer, had "jumped" on Mr Benmore and punched and kicked him.

When Mr Benmore's friend Matthew Edwards tried to intervene Coulson, 19, of Causeway Estate, Hitcham punched him in the face and then held him in a headlock and punched him again.

The court heard that following the fight Mr Benmore swore at Lorimer and Lorimer hit him once more on the jaw.

Lorimer was described as being "plastered" when he left the club. The court heard that Mr Benmore and Coulson were also drunk.

Mr Edwards suffered bruises and a swollen eye. Mr Benmore suffered facial bruising, a severely swollen face, a broken wisdom tooth and a broken jaw.

Mr Perrin said: "Doctors had to drill into his face and insert titanium plates."

Matthew Gowan, for Lorimer, said his client had previous convictions for violence and realised this attack was "appallingly bad behaviour". He said Lorimer had pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm at the earliest opportunity.

Simon Spence for Coulson said the landscape gardener was of previous good character and had pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm at the first opportunity.

Mr Recorder Karim Khalil said Coulson had prevented Mr Edwards from helping his friend and ordered him to carry out 100 hours community punishment, pay £322 towards court costs and £250 compensation to Mr Edwards.

Mr Khalil said Lorimer's offending was much more serious and "you are avoiding custody by the skin of your teeth."

He said Mr Benmore had suffered physically as well as emotional trauma, he said to ensure Lorimer did not re-offend he would sentence to two years probation and order him to carry out 100 hours community punishment.

Lorimer was also electronically tagged for six months preventing him from going out of his home between 8pm and 6am. He was further ordered to pay £322 towards prosecution costs, £550 towards defence costs and £4,000 compensation to Mr Benmore.