Vulnerable Blackpool man was hit in face with a bottle

Matthew Kenneth Light, 35, of no fixed abode, had consumed a litre of vodka when he attacked an acquaintance, Paul Tallett, on May 14, Preston Crown Court heard, while the pair were living in a hostel in Blackpool.

The court heard Mr Tallett was "vulnerable" and needed a carer.

Prosecuting, Lisa Worsley said: "Mr Light asked if he could share his joint. He told the defendant he could have a 'couple of pulls'."

But an argument unfolded in which Light shouted: "Look I've got a bottle, I'll use it as a weapon."

Ms Worlsey said he struck Mr Tallett in the face.

He suffered a cut to his eye, which started bleeding, and felt dazed and lost his balance.

Light then started shouting at him 'Where are you going?'

In a police interview he said he had no recollection of the incident and acknowledged he had drank a litre of vodka before it happened.

The victim, speaking in a statement, said he had been left "distressed and fearful" .

Defending, Chris Hudson said since the offence he had been reunited with his wife and had taken steps to address his addictions.

Imposing 26 weeks, suspended for a year, and a rehabilitation requirement, Judge Sara Dodd said: "It is clear there really are two sides to you because when you are free of alcohol and other substances you are a good father, stepfather and church member.

"However when your demons take control it's another story altogether and that was the situation here."