Two men involved in a scuffle at an Ipswich nightspot have been ordered to carry out unpaid community work after pleading guilty to charges against them.

Carl Horsnell, of Wallace Road, Ipswich, admitted actual bodily harm after punching the man he believed had assaulted his girlfriend during a scuffle in Liquid in Cardinal Park.

Ryan Thompson, of Maidenhall Approach, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to assault by beating of the same man.

Both men were given 12-month community orders at their Ipswich Crown Court sentencings.

Horsnell, 22, was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £250 compensation to his victim, as well as £210 in costs.

Thompson, 19, must do 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £200 in compensation, in addition to £140 in costs.

Prosecutor Michael Crimp told the court Horsnell’s girlfriend was being treated in the medical room at Liquid after being hurt during a scuffle in the early hours of October 25 last year.

A man walked past the treatment room who Horsnell believed had been the person who injured her.

In his police statement the victim said Horsnell came out of the medical room and “flew towards him and his friend”.

Horsnell punched the man in the face and he fell to the floor.

Mr Crimp said the victim sustained several blows to the head and body while on the floor.

During the assault Thompson is said to have kicked the man in the face.

The victim ended up with a large cut to his right eyebrow, bruising, and a possible broken nose.

Although Horsnell admitted attacking the man he did so on the basis that he only punched him once.

Dino Barricella, representing Horsnell, said his client was overcome with anger when he saw what he believed was the man who hurt his girlfriend pass the medical room.

Mr Barricella added: “The perpetrator goes past. His (Horsnell’s) girlfriend points him out and the red mist sets in.”

The court was told the forklift truck driver was remorseful and the assault was out of character.

Ian James, representing Thompson, also said he accepted what he did was stupid and regrets his actions.