Whitecroft man Jody Grindle, who wrecked his good reputation when he joined in a pub brawl and hit a woman on the cheek, has avoided going to jail.

A fight started between the 39-year-old and another man in a pub toilet and then spilled over into the bar, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

As the other man was being taken to an ambulance with a broken jaw, he tried to carry on the brawl.

Grindle, of Wesley Road, Whitecroft, admitted common assault on Tabitha Morgan at the Royal Oak pub in the village on December 9 2011. He also admitted affray on the same date by using threatening words and behaviour which caused people to fear for their safety.

Not guilty verdicts were directed on two further charges of wounding with intent to do Christopher Howard grievous bodily harm and an alternative of unlawful wounding.

Grindle was sentenced to a 12-month community order and he will have to do 120 hours of unpaid work.

Susan Cavender, prosecuting, said Christopher Howard was in the Whitecroft pub with his girlfriend Tabitha Morgan on the night of December 9, and when he went to the toilet there was an altercation, the details of which were disputed.

"Mr Howard said Mr Grindle tried to pick an argument with him and then threw a punch at him that missed," she said.

"More punches were thrown and Mr Howard managed to break away and get into the bar but Grindle followed him and the fight continued."

Mr Howard went down on one knee, she said, and was then allegedly kicked in the face.

"His girlfriend Tabitha Morgan tried to get between the two men and Grindle punched her a glancing blow to the face," she said.

"He immediately apologised, saying he had not meant to hit her."

The court heard that Mr Howard's jaw had been broken in two places but Grindle was still challenging him as he was helped out of the pub.

When he was arrested Grindle told police he had not thrown the first punch.

"Mr Howard has suffered quite a serious injury and now has metal plates and screws in his jaw. He also suffers from nerve damage causing numbness," said Miss Cavender.

Ian Halliday, defending, said Grindle had not provoked the fight and Mr Howard threw the first punch.

"Mr Grindle says he was acting in self-defence."

As well as the community order and unpaid work, he ordered Grindle to pay £100 compensation to Miss Morgan and £150 towards the prosecution costs.

The blow that caused the injury was a single punch he said. Grindle accepted that when he was out in the bar he was no longer under threat but he had attempted to continue the fight.

Grindle was of previous positive good character he said, and he produced references to back this up.

Passing sentence, Judge William Hart said as a result of the accepted pleas, he could not sentence Grindle for the injury to Mr Howard, only for the assault on Miss Morgan and for the affray.

As well as the community order and unpaid work, he ordered Grindle to pay £100 compensation to Miss Morgan and £150 towards the prosecution costs.