AN Abergavenny man has been given a six month prison sentence suspended for 18 months at Cardiff Crown Court for attacking an off duty metropolitan policeman in a pub in the town.
Stephen Sussex, suffered a broken jaw in two places which had to be wired up and into which a metal plate was inserted after Frank Knapman delivered a single blow to him in the Auberge pub.
Knapman, a man with no previous convictions, of Church Lane, Abergavenny admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
In addiction to the suspended sentence he was order the carry out 200 hours unpaid work for the community, pay costs of £400 and compensation of £1,000.
Recorder Richard Twomlow told Knapman, "You were obviously the worse for drink and you delivered one powerful blow." He said he received "very impressive references."
Prosecutor Karl Williams said that on Saturday, November 24, 2007 PC Sussex, who is stationed in Acton was ordering drinks in the pub when he heard an noise to his right and believed someone had thrown a glass.
"He approached Knapman, grabbed him by the wrists and informed him that he was a police officer."
Knapman raised his right arm and struck him a single blow saying, "I'll sort this out with you."
The court heard that the officer had made a good and complete recovery.
Defence counsel John Ryan said, "It is accepted Knapman had nothing to do with throwing the glass. He simply over-reated."
He added that there was genuine remorse, Knapman was hard working, caring respectable and polite.
"He hasn't tried to minimise the injury. There was one blow and the attack was not followed up."