A MONMOUTH rugby player has been jailed for a year for an unprovoked attack on a local licensee which left him with horrendous facial injuries. Mr Ian Pateshall-Ward was in hospital for a week, Cardiff Crown Court was told.

Monumental mason Anthony David Phillips, aged 34, an ex-Welsh Guardsman who had served in Northern Ireland and who lives with his partner of 12 years and their three children at Watery Lane, Llanishen, had acted in a "moment of madness", defending counsel Daniel Williams told the court.

Judge Gary Hickinbottom said: "You kicked a man when he was bent double. He was defenceless and you caused extensive injuries."

The effect of that kick was so serious that only a custodial sentence would do. Mr Phillips had made a full and frank admission and had been extremely open with the police from the outset. He had expressed genuine remorse.

Mr Phillips pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Pateshall-Ward.

Prosecuting, Mr Keith Thomas said that the incident arose on Saturday, September 9th, after Mr Phillips had played rugby for Monmouth RFC and had been out celebrating a friend getting married.

He went with friends to various establishments and at 9.45 pm arrived at the Griffin Inn where Mr Pateshall-Ward was the licensee.

Mr Phillips and his friends behaved in a boisterous way and in a good humoured way Mr Pateshall-Ward spoke to them.

About 10 minutes later customer Dean boyd was jostled near the group and fell onto Mr Phillips who head-butted him on the forehead causing a slight injury.

Mr Patteshall-Ward intervened and was also head-butted on the forehead by Mr Phillips. As Mr Patteshall-Ward was bent double Mr Phillips kicked him in the eyes and cheekbone.

Mr Pateshall-Ward was bleeding profusely and other members of the group tried to stop Mr Phillips. An ambulance was called and Mr Pateshall-Ward was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital and then transferred to the Royal Gwent.

He received a broken cheekbone, eye sockets and nose, swelling to his eyes and nose. He was kept in hospital for a week. Mr Phillips was arrested the next day and admitted hitting Mr Patteshall-Ward. He was very drunk and did not know what he was doing. He estimated he had drunk 13 to 14 pints, mainly of cider.

The court was told he had one previous conviction for actual bodily harm.

Defence counsel Mr Williams produced several good character references. He said no one who knew the defendant could believe what he had done, neither could he.

However, he had faced up to what he did with disarming honesty and displayed a sense of honour.

His remorse was genuine and he realised that Mr Pateshall-Ward was an undeserving victim.

On the day of the incident he had played rugby for Monmouth and gone out with friends ona stag night. He did not normally drink.

The court was told that some weeks before the assault Mr Pateshall-Ward had suffered facial injuries in another incident.