A MAN who floored his victim with a single punch was spared jail yesterday.

Mohammed Elahi, 26, lashed out at Gary Logan when they passed each other in The Bridges shopping centre, Sunderland, on August 5.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how one of Mr Logan's friends had bumped into Elahi, which prompted him to hit out.

As a result of the fall, Mr Logan, who had been drinking, suffered cuts to his mouth and face and needed treament.

Prosecutors accept the injuries were caused by the fall rather than the blow.

Barry Robson, for Elahi, who admitted unlawful wounding, said his client had never been in trouble before.

He said Elahi, of Mitchell Street, Hartlepool, had been in Sunderland having a meal with friends.

Judge Guy Whitburn said that although late-night, city centre violence would not be tolerated, a custodial sentence was inappropriate in his case. He said: "It does not seem to me he is in the habit of going about city centres late at night causing trouble."

Elahi was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community punishment.