AN attacker who smashed a bottle into a friend's face has been given a chance by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court to prove he can stay out of trouble.

Graham Hipkiss, 23, swung a bottle of Stella Artois lager into Wayne Smith's face when a row broke out after a friendly football game on South Shields seafront on June 6.

The court heard how the friends, with two others, were walking back along Ocean Road after the kick around, where they had all been drinking, and were heading back home when the violence flared.

Andrew Finlay, prosecuting, said: "There was a very short exchange of words whereupon this defendant raised his hand, which at this stage contained an unopened bottle, and hit him across the side of the face, causing it to break and causing lacerations to his neck and chest."

Hipkiss told police he had not meant for the bottle to break or intended to cause any injury to his friend.

Defence barrister Bob Spragg said that Hipkiss has been attending an anger managment course.

Mr Recorder Davey deferred sentence for six months to see if Hipkiss, who has previous convictions for violence, can stay out of trouble and maintain his employment.

Hipkiss, of Dovedale Avenue, Willington, Crook, County Durham, had admitted unlawful wounding.