A FORMER sailor in the Royal Navy who is now a Stena ferry seaman was spared jail on Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to a “glassing” in a Holyhead pub on cup final night last year. But he has to pay his victim £1,800 in compensation.

Kevin Williams, 49, of Market Street in the town, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to 70-year-old Wyn Parry, who had a cut above his eye after the attack last May in the Chester pub at Holyhead.

A 12-month prison sentence was imposed, suspended for 12 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work, alcohol treatment for six months and 20 days’ rehabilitation activity, with costs of £670.

Mr Parry had been at a surprise family birthday party which Williams had sought to join close to midnight but when the defendant was asked to leave because he was a nuisance he thrust a pint glass into his face, which shattered.

Richard Edwards, prosecuting at Caernarfon crown court, said although the wound bled profusely Mr Parry had not sought medical treatment.

Judge Huw Rees said it was an incident which happened in drink. Matthew Dunford, defending, said Williams was ashamed of what he had done and very sorry about the injury. He realised he had to address a drink problem.

Referring to a delay in bringing the case the judge said : “The facts are straightforward. This is a man who could have been arrested, interviewed and charged all on the same day.”