A PUB customer caused a three-inch long scar on the forehead of a man after they traded insults in a beer garden.

Michael Reynolds threw a glass at Aaron Carter at the Swan in High Street, Evesham.

Mr Carter had objected to "crude and offensive comments" made by Reynolds towards the victim's girlfriend, said Charles Hardy, prosecuting.

Reynolds swore at him before inviting him to fight and spitting at him. He threw his drink over Mr Carter and then hurled the glass. The victim needed three stitches, Worcester Crown Court heard.

A letter to the judge from the defendant's mother told how he had been badly affected by his brother's death.

Mr Justice Butterworth said he understood the impact of the tragedy and accepted there was "an element of provocation" in the assault crime.

He gave 38-year-old Reynolds, of Princess Road, Evesham, a nine month jail term, suspended for two years, with 150 hours of unpaid community work.

The judge also made an exclusion order, banning the defendant from entering the Swan for the next 12 months.

Mr Carter was sitting in the beer garden on June 28 when he was attacked.

He advised Reynolds to watch what he was saying and a witness told police he heard both men "trading insults" before the glass was thrown, said Mr Hardy.

Fortunately the glass did not shatter on impact. But Mr Carter needed three stitches in a cut.

Reynolds, who pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, was arrested two months later and told police he was "an idiot" and "banged to rights".

He admitted being very drunk and claimed he just threw the glass in the victim's direction.

Defending himself in court, he said: "I'm really sorry for what happened. I regret it."