A HOMELESS man who slapped another man at a Newport hostel while drunk has been jailed.

Brynley Snelling, of no fixed abode but who previously lived at the Solas hostel on Albert Street, Newport, was convicted of assaulting the man on January 3.

He appeared at Newport Crown Court yesterday for sentence.

Jason Howell, prosecuting, told the court that Snelling, 28, had breached a suspended sentence imposed in July last year by missing three probation appointments.

The sentence had been imposed for an arson attack outside his former partner’s home in Garndiffaith, .

Mr Howell said that on December 9 last year, Snelling was waiting in a communal area of the hostel when another man entered who, the defendant believed, owed him £20.

There was a scuffle and Snelling grabbed the man, pushed him and slapped him across the face, cutting his lip.

Snelling was arrested and in interview with police admitted he had been drinking.

Gareth Evans, mitigating, said Snelling apologised to the man in question the following day.

“After losing his father and grandfather, the defendant sought solace in drink and was forced to leave the family home in October last year. He has been homeless since,” said Mr Evans.

Andrew Twomlow, for the probation service, said Snelling had also been given a community order involving 200 hours’ unpaid work after driving under the influence of alcohol.

Judge David Wynn Morgan said Snelling had breached the first order “with impunity since the day it was imposed” and sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment for assault by beating, and four months for breaching a suspended sentence, to be served consecutively.

The two orders were revoked and Snelling must pay an £80 victim surcharge.