A MAN who hit an aquaintance in the face with a broken beer glass has been jailed for 15 months.

Christopher Barrington, aged 21, of Warwick Road, Atherton, attacked Leon Leyland in the victims own front garden and had to be dragged off him by neighbours.

Charlotte Kenny, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that on July 12, Mr Leyland was standing in the front garden of his home in Spa Road, Atherton, with his six-month-old baby and his partner, Amanda Garner.

Barrington, whom they knew, came along the road clutching a glass of lager and started shouting at Mr Leyland, the court heard.

For his own protection, Mr Leyland went into his kitchen and got a broom, which he put behind the front door.

During an altercation, Barrington smashed the glass on the garden fence then lunged at Mr Leyland with it, cutting his face.

Neighbours arrived at the scene and dragged Barrington off his victim, who also had cuts to his legs from flying glass, said Miss Kenny.

Barrington was arrested nearby by police and found to be drunk. When interviewed, he made no comment.

Barrington had been due to face trial, but changed his plea to guilty to wounding.

Philip Martin, defending, said that Barrington, who has previous convictions for violence, had had the courage to plead guilty.