A MAN who left his cousin's boyfriend with a fractured jaw, cheekbone and nose in a drunken unprovoked attack has walked free from court.

Errol Williams had been celebrating his 31st birthday when he hit his victim so hard he was out cold before he hit the ground in the town centre assault.

The father-of-two then went on to lie to police and accused his innocent victim Paul Floyd of throwing the first punch.

As well as escaping a jail term for the brutal attack, Williams has been told to pay just £500 compensation even though the dental work alone will cost his victim thousands.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Williams' cousin Lindsay Read and her boyfriend Mr Floyd had been out in Swindon shortly before Christmas.

He said they had been to various pubs and clubs in the town on December 16 when they met up with the defendant.

After spending several hours together, they decided to head home and went to Fleet Street to try to get a cab.

Mr Meeke said nobody was sure why Williams launched the attack as they all seemed to be getting on with each other.

He said the only point of conflict came when Williams saw a couple of girls and wanted to go off with them rather than go home to his partner and children.

Mr Floyd spoke to Williams and pulled him away from the girls but Miss Real told police that it was all very jocular and they were laughing about it.

Then, as they were walking through the colonnaded area in Fleet Street Williams landed a heavy blow to his victim's head sending him crashing to the ground unconscious.

Mr Floyd was taken to hospital where he was found to have broken his nose, cheek and jaw as well as suffered numerous cuts and bruises which caused considerable pain. He had to visit the hospital seven times and undergo surgery as well as trips to the dentist and take five weeks off work. He lost two lower teeth which had to be replaced with £1,200 titanium implants and may have to have three more removed as a result of damage to his jaw.

In a statement he said his Christmas was ruined as he could not eat or drink properly and since the attack his social life had been affected as he does not like crowded places.

After he was arrested Williams, of Longthorpe Close, Toothill, who pleaded guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm, said he could not recall what they were talking about.

Mark Ashley, defending, said: "He doesn't offer any excuses and asks me to apologise unreservedly for what took place."

He said Williams and his partner cared for his 75-year-old father who had suffered four strokes and jailing him could mean the dad being taken into care and the family losing their home.

He was given a 28-day suspended sentence and ordered to do 100 hours' community service.