A man who glassed a nightclubber in the eye has been spared jail after his victim urged a judge to show clemency.
Robyn Wilkins, 23, from Bath, was partying with friends in Vodka Revolution in Bath when he snapped and launched the "repeated attack".
Bristol Crown Court heard his victim, Sean Kosma, almost lost an eye after suffering a large laceration to his cornea. Judge Mark Horton told Wilkins, who admitted grievous bodily harm, that he should impose an 18-month prison sentence immediately.
But the judge offered Wilkins a second chance after reading a victim impact statement from Mr Kosma, which showed "extreme generosity".
In the statement, Mr Kosma told the court he had recovered from his injuries and did "not want the defendant's life to be ruined".
The judge told Wilkins: "For this particular offence, there should be a term of 18 months imprisonment. But I am prepared to offer you the opportunity of a period of six months to be in good behaviour and keep out of trouble.
"You should meet the victim and apologise if he is prepared to meet with you. He has shown extreme generosity."
During the six-month period, Wilkins will be under supervision, subject to a curfew between 8pm and 5am, tested for drugs and alcohol, and banned from pubs and nightclubs.
The court was told Wilkins, who has no previous convictions, was the designated driver during a night out on June 8 this year with friends and had not been drinking.
Prosecuting, James Haskell, said: "Mr Kosma was under the influence of alcohol. He was spraying some of his friends with some alcohol and a bottle of beer. It appears that some of that was sprayed on to the defendant who approached the complainant and spoke to him. About 30 seconds later, he returned and punched the complainant in the face holding a glass bottle, which smashed in his face. He then punched the complainant again on two further occasions."
The court heard Wilkins lost his temper after being sprayed with alcohol again following his discussion with Mr Kosma – believing his victim had "done it again". But in fact, the alcohol had been thrown over Wilkins by one of his own friends. Mr Kosma was rushed to hospital, where it was feared he would lose his eye. His vision returned to normal following treatment, Mr Haskell said.
Representing Wilkins, Nicholas Wagg said his client was of good character and had one previous conviction for an unrelated matter in 2008.
"The defendant recognises how very generous Mr Kosma has been," Mr Wagg said. "First of all, he included that he had recovered in the way that he has (in his impact statement).
"He has been so very generous saying that he would not wish the defendant's life to be ruined by this."
Wilkins, who wore a smart suit to court and was supported by his father in the public gallery, told the judge: "I know I have done wrong."
He will appear before the judge in June for sentencing, following the six-month period.
