A building worker punched a man in the mouth outside a Newport club, a court heard.

The victim Kirk Brown later had to have a damaged tooth taken out, Newport crown court was told.

Nicholas Bryant, 32, of Bishton Street, Newport, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment suspended for two years after admitting a charge of causing actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Laurence Jones said that on March 8 last year the two men were in the Through The Arches Club, Stow Hill.

"There was tension in the air when they had a confrontation," Mr Jones said.

Mr Brown left at 2am with his girlfriend and as they waited for a taxi Bryant walked up to Mr Brown, punched him in the mouth and left the scene.

But seconds later he returned and went to punch him again but Mr Brown's girlfriend stood between them.

Bryant was said to have two previous convictions for causing actual bodily harm.

His counsel Meirion Davies said: "He did have a short fuse which might explain what happened.

However there has been an exceptionally positive pre-sentence report."

Judge Nicholas Cooke told him: "In the past you had a temper which got you into trouble. In the present circumstances I am not sending you to prison."

He was also made subject to a one year's supervision order, and ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay the victim £500 compensation and prosecution costs of £263.