A clubber who fractured his victim's jaw in a row over a cigarette has been ordered to pay compensation.

Matthew Bugg, 20, was given some money by his victim for a cigarette but then walked off without handing it over, Canterbury Crown Court was told.

Edmund Fowler, prosecuting, said: “There was a confrontation and without delay Bugg punched the man in the face and he fell to the ground and lost consciousness. He fractured his jaw.”

The attack happened on March 29 in the smoking garden at Club Chemistry in Canterbury when the victim was out with friends.

Bugg, who admitted inflicting grievous harm, was identified from photos taken at the club and at an identity parade.

John O’Higgins, defending Bugg, of Hugin Avenue, Broadstairs, said: “He has got it into his head that there is no justification for this behaviour which caused another man pain and suffering. It has brought him up short.”

Mr O’Higgins said Bugg had a good work record and came from a good family. He had done voluntary work as a football coach.

“His reaction to this has been to get his head down,” Mr O’Higgins said. “He works long hours, has complied with his curfew and has been in no other form of trouble since this occurred.”

Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl told Bugg: “If you hit someone hard and they go down they could die. This was a serious injury.”

He sentenced Bugg to two years in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £1,000 compensation to his victim.