A man who left a clubber half blinded after a late night ‘accidental glassing’ has walked free from court.

Victim Mark Steer, 23, suffered an extensive perforation to his right eye during the incident at the Attic Bar in Accrington, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The apprentice engineer will only know after a year if he has permanently lost the sight in his eye or whether further surgery could restore it.

Sean Towers admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He claimed that a friend of his had been involved in an altercation with the victim and he had lunged towards them, without realising he had a short glass in his hand.

The glass broke, gashing the victim, but he had not intended to hurt him, it was claimed.

The court heard Towers had an important job and had never been in trouble before.

The defendant, 23, of Devonshire Street, Accrington, was given nine months in prison, suspended for a year, with 180 hours unpaid work and must pay £1,500 compensation within 12 months.

Mr Steer has had two operations, and may yet face a corneal graft following the incident at last October 9.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Mr Steer was on the dance floor and was annoyed when he was pushed twice in the back.

He was shoved a third time, fell near to the floor and had had enough.

He exchanged words with the defendant’s friend, was grabbed by the neck and headbutted the friend, she said.

Towers saw the incident, went to help his friend and struck the victim in the face with the glass, Miss Statham added.

Mr Steer heard the glass smash and felt immense pain in his right eye as a shard of glass became embedded in it. He also suffered a cut to his nose. The defendant immediately ran from the scene.

The hearing was told all the victim could see from his right eye were blurred shapes and movements, but he was still able to carry out his work.

The prosecutor said after Towers fled, he met up with a friend, told him what had happened and was clearly frightened by what he had done.

He contacted his mother, who told him police had been to the family home and made arrangements to be arrested.

He told police he had panicked, had not known what to do and had run away as he was not a fighter.

Adrian Williams, counsel for the defence, described the case as unusual and urged the court to pass a suspended sentence.

The defendant had a significant job with prospects and could pay compensation.

The solicitor added: "This is a young man with a family who are acutely aware of the seriousness of what he has done, but perhaps a young man who is deserving of this one opportunity."