A judge sprang to the defence of a pub landlord who fought back when attacked by a drunk as he left his bar.

Jaswinder Singh Thandi was left with a gash to his head after Mark Prince tore apart a beer can and assaulted him with it and a broken finger.

Judge Michael Carroll said of Mr Thandi’s retaliation: “What is the victim to do - stand there and let himself be beaten up? I think not.”

Prince, of Parrock Street, Gravesend, admitted unlawful wounding and was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

The 51-year-old former Oxford University student’s not guilty plea to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was accepted because of his psychiatric history.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr Thandi was leaving The Foresters Arms in Parrock Street on the afternoon of March 16 when he saw Prince drinking from a can of lager.

He asked Mr Thandi if he wanted a drink. He was drunk and aggressive, said prosecutor Paul Valder.

Mr Thandi asked Prince to move from the doorway of the pub but he refused. He spat in Mr Thandi’s face and the victim spat back at him and walked to his car.

Prince spat on the car and then lashed out at Mr Thandi, striking him on the shoulder. Mr Thandi fought back.

“Matters came to a head when the defendant ripped the can in half and struck him in the face, causing a gash to his forehead,” said Mr Valder.

The victim went to Gravesend minor injuries unit and discovered he also had a broken little finger on his left hand.

When arrested, Prince said: “He hit me first. We had a private fight.”

Mr Valder said Prince had a number of previous convictions mainly for drunkenness and assault.

Catharine Donnelly, defending, said Prince had a long mental health history and drinking was part and parcel of his illness.

“He has led a difficult life,” she said. “This is far and a way the most serious offence he has committed.”

Judge Carroll said it was a frightening attack which had a lasting effect for the victim.

“It is beyond dispute that you have mental difficulties,” he told Prince.

“However, it is well known to you that if you drink you come into conflict with people, and you have done that on a regular basis.

“You have not committed anything of this magnitude before. This was a sustained and repeated assault.”