A MAN who broke his victim’s jaw and cheekbone has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.

Jamie Brash lashed out at David McKean after the pair exchanged words during a random meeting in an Edinburgh street near to Dalry Primary School.

Brash, of Gardiner Road, Prestonpans, attacked the man from behind and the one punch he landed left Mr McKean with broken bones in his face.

The injuries were said to have needed reconstructive surgery to correct.

Brash, 21, previously pleaded guilty to assault.

Solicitor Angela Craig told Edinburgh Sheriff Court her client was “rightfully ashamed of his conduct” and had since “cut down on his drinking”.

Ms Craig said: “He responded to a comment but accepts he was at fault for this incident. Words were exchanged with the drunk man and he reacted. He could easily have walked away, but he didn’t.”

Sheriff Donald Corke admitted that it was a difficult decision not to send the offender to prison but, on reflection, he was satisfied he could hand out a community payback order instead.

Sheriff Corke said: “You attacked the man from behind and made off, leaving the victim with a broken jaw and cheekbone.

“It is a difficult decision. My initial reaction is a custodial sentence, but I have narrowly decided not to go down that road.”

The sheriff ordered Brash to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work as punishment for the assault. Brash was also handed a further 160 hours’ unpaid work order after admitting a second charge of possessing an offensive weapon during the same incident.

The second sentence will run concurrently to the first order.