A MAN who threw a glass into a woman’s face during an argument with her husband at a Haddington hotel made “a complete idiot” of himself, a sheriff said.

Louis Luke, 21, was involved in “a minor altercation” with Darren Dudgeon when he launched the tumbler at the man.

But a heavily drunk Luke missed his target and the half pint glass smashed into Amanda Dudgeon, who had been standing next to her husband at the Mercat Hotel, Haddington.

Luke then ran from the bar, leaving Mrs Dudgeon with two deep cuts to her face. She was taken to hospital where she required 10 stitches.

Luke, of Princess Mary Road, Haddington, admitted the assault during a previous appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and he returned for sentencing last Thursday.

Sentencing Luke, Sheriff Frank Crowe told him: “These are very serious injuries you caused the woman.

“You went to the pub around midday and were sitting there drinking for hours and hours and you cannot remember very much about what happened.

“You went with your mates and decided to stay on and you ended up making a complete idiot of yourself. [But] I am going to give you the opportunity to get on with your life so I hope you take that chance.”

Sheriff Crowe spared Luke a jail term and instead ordered him to pay Mrs Dudgeon £2,000 as compensation for the hotel bar attack on October 14 last year.

Previously, fiscal depute Rachel Aedy told the court that “a heavily intoxicated” Luke and the Dudgeons were drinking separately in the bar of the High Street hotel when the men began arguing.

Ms Aedy said: “The accused appeared to be in an agitated state and was making gestures towards Mr and Mrs Dudgeon and their friend.

“There was a minor altercation involving pushing, shoving and grappling between Mr Dudgeon and the accused.

“The accused then picked up a half pint glass and threw it but it struck Amanda Dudgeon on the chin.”

Luke then ran from the hotel into the street but bar staff had recognised the attacker and police were informed.

He was later traced and during a police interview at Dalkeith Police Station he told officers: “I don’t think the assault was meant for her”.

Defence solicitor Andrew Docherty said that his client was undertaking a joinery apprenticeship with his father’s firm and lived at home with his mother and sister.

Mr Docherty added: “He has no memory of the incident as he had drunk so heavily.”

Luke admitted assaulting Amanda Dudgeon by throwing a glass at her and striking her to the face to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement at the Mercat Hotel, Haddington, on October 14 last year.