Kevin Rich, 57, of Le Grand Courtil, La Route des Cornus, St Martin’s, admitted a charge of assault.
The Magistrate’s Court was told how the incident happened outside the cafeteria at Le Grand Courtil at about 12.30pm one day in December.
The defendant, who was barred from the cafeteria, was standing outside smoking a cigarette and drinking from a mug, when the victim, who worked in the cafe, went outside to get something from a vehicle. A witness heard the defendant laugh before the victim, whose partner ran the cafe, told him he had ‘opened up a can of worms.’
Rich then puffed out his chest and challenged the man to a fight, before throw his mug at the victim from close range.
The victim’s glasses were knocked off and the mug smashed as it hit the ground. The victim suffered a cut to his cheek though his glasses remained intact.
The contents of the mug, which he said was alcohol, went over the victim.
Rich showed remorse in interview and said he had combined prescription medication and alcohol that day.
He had been spending a lot of time in his room and had gone out to get some fresh air. He thought the victim had said something in relation to a post on Facebook.
Defending, Advocate Samuel Steel said his client had no ongoing conflict with the complainant and wished to apologise to him. He had long-standing mental health issues and his issues with alcohol needed to be addressed.
Judge Marc Davies said the defendant had issues with alcohol for which he was now getting support. He could be treated as a man of previous good character. This had been an act of drunken violence and it was just by luck that no serious injury was caused.
Sending him to prison would not address the reasons why he was before the court and doing so would make him homeless. The public would then have to deal with him on his release, he said.
A prison sentence of four months, suspended for one year, was imposed. He must also pay £500 compensation to his victim.