A Henleaze father-of-two who attacked a couple on a night out in Bristol must prove to a judge he can behave himself for six months.

Daniel Moon broke Henry Jefferies' nose and cut Hazel Newman's forehead after his friend put his arm around Miss Newman and a row ensued, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Moon, 22, of Francombe Grove, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following the incident in August last year.

Deferring sentence until December 22, Judge Mark Horton told him: "You seem sadly to be part of, on occasion, the youth culture in this city which consumes vast amounts of alcohol, lose control of their inhibitions and become violent for virtually no reason whatsoever.

"You attacked a perfectly innocent man and woman, causing both nasty injuries. "Physical injuries may heel, but the emotional damage will carry with them for a substantial time, if not all their lives."

The judge told Moon to stay out of trouble, undergo supervision, abide by a curfew tailored with his work commitments, stay out of licensed premises, excluding supermarkets, and put money aside to pay compensation.

He told him to take a look at the door to the cells behind him, because if he failed he would be going through it for a prison sentence of 11 and a half months.

Richard Posner, prosecuting, said on the night in question Mr Jefferies was celebrating his birthday with Miss Newman.

He said: "Mark Smith put his arm around Miss Newman and she told Mr Smith to get off.

"Mr Jefferies came to the aid of his girlfriend, Mr Moon stepped in. Mr Moon punched Mr Jefferies in the face, breaking his nose, and split the skin on Miss Newman's forehead."

Neil Treharne, defending, said his client was extremely remorseful and had accepted his guilt.

He told the court: "It was wholly out of character."