Alan Smart fractured Lesley Kelp's jaw during an incident at Jaydees in Sunderland city centre on April 15 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Smart became involved when trouble broke out inside the bar.

During an earlier hearing, the 29-year-old admitted causing grievous bodily harm and submitted a basis of plea which was acceptable to prosecutors.

His barrister, John Wilkinson, told the court:"He was present in Jaydees with others, including his sister and her boyfriend. At one point his sister was being pestered by youths and her boyfriend intervened and a scuffle broke out.

"The defendant intervened to break up the scuffle. He was taken hold of by a male doorman and they made towards the exit.

"He believed he was about to be manhandled and accepts he struck out, catching the complainant in the face.

"It was never his intention to strike her but he accepts by hitting out his behaviour was reckless and unlawful."

The court heard Ms Kelp suffered pain for months after the incident and lost over £2,000 in earnings because of what happened.

Smart, of Shrewsbury Crescent, Sunderland, runs his own security firm. The court heard he does not have a record for violence.

Mr Wilkinson told the court: "His remorse was genuine and immediate."

Judge John Evans sentenced Smart to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a six-month curfew between 8pm and 8am.

Smart was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay Ms Kelp £2,000 compensation.

The judge said: "This certainly was not an offence committed with a degree of malicious intent."