A CLUBBER who left a passer-by needing permanent metal plates after breaking his jaw in two places was spared jail.

Joshua Pal, of Oxford Road, Kidlington, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting one count of grievous bodily harm.

The 24-year-old was sentenced after attacking Grant Sternberg near The Bridge nightclub, in Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, on July 17 last year.

Prosecutor Isabel Delamere said Mr Sternberg was celebrating his 20th birthday with friends at the nightclub, leaving at about 1.30am.

She said the group walked about 100 yards along Hythe Bridge Street when they came across a group of three men.

The prosecutor said the two groups began talking about nationality, when Pal was asked if he was from Pakistan, with the defendant telling the group he was from Oxford.

She said the groups continued to chat but Mr Sternberg was then hit “very hard” on the left side of his jaw, causing him to fall on his back.

The prosecutor said Mr Sternberg’s friends recalled the defendant hit his victim “out of nowhere with a right hook” before leaving the scene.

Ms Delamere said some of the victim’s friends followed Pal and asked why he punched Mr Sternberg, with the defendant saying “you can’t talk about my country in that way”.

Defence barrister James Reilly said Pal claims he was racially abused before the “single blow” to Mr Sternberg’s jaw.

Judge Ian Pringle said “nothing can excuse” the defendant punching Mr Sternberg.

Pal was sentenced to 10 months in jail, suspended for two years, and was handed a two-month curfew ordering him to remain at home between 9pm and 6am. He was also made subject to a 12-month supervision requirement, ordered to attend 10 Managing Alcohol-Related Aggression sessions and told to pay a victim surcharge, as well as £650 costs.