A 39-year-old lorry driver has been told to do unpaid work and pay £750 compensation for a single blow he delivered at a party in Stourport.

David Morris pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to causing grievous bodily harm to Wayne Price in June last year. The plea was accepted on the basis that he had not kicked his victim.

Morris, of High Street, Stourport, was given a 12-month community order and told to do 150 hours unpaid work. He must also pay the compensation within three months.

Jason Aris, prosecuting, said Morris had been drinking at the Steps public house in Gilgal on June 7. He had moved on to a party on the other side of the street where he had encountered Mr Price in the garden.

Without warning, Morris punched Mr Price to the left side of the face and he fell to the ground. He woke up hours later in Kidderminster Hospital, where he later had an operation for a broken facial bone.

Mr Aris said a metal plate had been inserted but Mr Price still suffered numbness and was conscious of his appearance. Her may also lose two teeth.

Michael Aspinall, for Morris, said he was totally ashamed and blamed his action because he had drunk too much that day. He was hard-working earning £450 a week and contributed to the upkeep of his son who was with a former partner. He had started a new relationship with a woman who had two young girls.

Judge Toby Hooper QC acknowledged that Morris was a good worker with ties in the community. But he had committed a serious offence which had left the victim suffering for a long time.