A SUFFOLK man is to be jailed for smashing another man's face in a drunken rage.Twenty-four-year-old Lee Salisbury was found guilty of assaulting Carl Whitehouse causing him grievous bodily harm by an Ipswich Crown Court jury.

A SUFFOLK man is to be jailed for smashing another man's face in a drunken rage.

Twenty-four-year-old Lee Salisbury was found guilty of assaulting Carl Whitehouse causing him grievous bodily harm by an Ipswich Crown Court jury.

The court heard that Salisbury, of Quays Road, Risby, had been on a night out at De Niro's nightclub in Newmarket and was waiting to return home on a mini bus when the attack took place.

Jeremy Dugdale, prosecuting, said the evening had passed without incident until it came time for the party to board the mini bus for the return trip to Bury St Edmunds.

As Mr Whitehouse, 20, was queuing for the bus Salisbury, who was standing at the front of the queue, had pushed the people behind him backwards, causing Mr Whitehouse to accidentally hit a woman in the face. Salisbury became extremely angry with Mr Whitehouse and accused him of hitting the girl, said Mr Dugdale.

He added that Salisbury squared up to Mr Whitehouse, who had made it clear that he did not want any trouble. Salisbury then punched Mr Whitehouse, fracturing his cheek and eye socket.

Salisbury told the court he was so drunk he could not remember the incident.

Judge Gareth Hawkesworth ordered a pre-sentence report and told Salisbury he would be sentenced on November 18 at Chelmsford Crown Court.

He said: "You must expect a custodial sentence."

Salisbury, who has a criminal record for committing violent offences when drunk, was released on bail in the interim.