AN IPSWICH man who punched a customer in a town centre pub in the face less than two weeks after being released from prison has been jailed for 12 months.

AN IPSWICH man who punched a customer in a town centre pub in the face less than two weeks after being released from prison has been jailed for 12 months.

Steven Povey was seen wandering around the Cricketers pub in Ipswich in an agitated manner shortly before he went over to Trevor Parker and struck him in the face, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Mr Parker was knocked off balance by the blow and realised he was bleeding, said Michael Crimp, prosecuting.

He was taken to Ipswich Hospital where he received treatment for a one inch cut over his left eyelid and a cut to his cheekbone.

Mr Crimp told the court that Povey had been released from a sentence of imprisonment for an offence of attempted robbery on July 30 and the incident involving Mr Parker had taken place on September 9.

Povey, 25, of St Helen's Street, Ipswich, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Neil Macaulay for Povey said his client had thought he needed to defend himself but accepted that he had used excessive force.

He said Mr Parker had withdrawn his allegation against Povey in November and had not wanted any action taken against him.

Mr Macaulay said no weapon was used against Mr Parker and the incident had been impulsive.

The court heard that Povey had spent 137 days on remand.

Jailing him for 12 months Judge Peter Thompson described the attack on Mr Parker as unprovoked and said the injuries inflicted had not been trivial.