TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Nicholas Aitken punched a work colleague on a night out after rowing with his former partner.

Stafford Crown Court yesterday heard Aitken knocked Paul Machin to the ground outside Pink nightclub in Piccadilly, Hanley, on December 12, 2010.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt said Aitken and Mr Machin had both previously been in a relationship with Kerry Lowe.

Inside the club Aitken became embroiled in a verbal and physical dispute with Miss Lowe.

Mr Machin intervened and he and Aitken scuffled before they were both ejected.

Aitken stood outside and Mr Machin approached.

The defendant accepted he overreacted and punched Mr Machin.

"It was a severe blow," said Mr Spratt.

"Mr Machin fell to the ground, on the pavement. For a very short time he was unconscious."

When he got up Mr Machin left the scene. But two days later he went to hospital as he was having difficulty eating.

He was diagnosed with an un-displaced fracture of the right jaw. He also suffered bruising to his left eye and a small cut to the back of his head.

And the blow dislodged a crown which had to be re-fixed by a dentist.

Aitken, of Millgreen Avenue, Sneyd Green, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the day of his trial in November.

Peter McCartney, mitigating, said Aitken accepted overreacting and delivering a punch, not necessarily in self-defence.

But he said there was significant provocation and added it was a single blow.

"Mr Machin came up to him twice," said Mr McCartney.

He said Aitken was remorseful and told the court if the defendant was sent to prison he would find it difficult getting back into good employment.

He said Aitken has continued working with Mr Machin and Miss Lowe since the incident without any problems and added that he has not committed any further offences.

Recorder Nirmal Shant QC said she could suspend the sentence because of the time which has passed since the incident and because Aitken has not committed any further offences.

She sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for two years, with two years' supervision, a requirement to complete a thinking skills programme and 80 hours' unpaid work.

And he must pay £300 compensation to his victim.

Recorder Shant QC told Aitken: "You must know that those who use violence on the street would normally receive a custodial sentence.

"I take the view the aggravating features in this case are there was great harm to the complainant, an un-displaced fracture of the jaw.

"You position is also aggravated by your previous conviction for violence.

"But on the other hand there was a degree of provocation by Mr Machin.

"I also take the view there was a lack of premeditation, it was a single blow and you have shown remorse."