AN attacker who broke a woman's nose during a violent street confrontation was jailed yesterday.

Dexter Ferguson, 28, lashed out at Alison Johnson when a row broke out between their two groups of friends, in Gray Street, Sunderland, on April 19 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Ms Johnson suffered a broken nose and a cut to her cheek after she was hit by Ferguson, of Deerness Road, Newcastle.

Ferguson, who was subject to an anti-social behaviour order at the time, pleaded guilty to assault.

Mr Recorder Kershaw jailed him for 18 months.

The judge told Ferguson the sentence would "protect women in public from being subjected to violence from you when you lose control".

Defence barrister Robin Patton said Ferguson hit out in the fracas and had not intended to strike a woman.