AN ISLE of Wight man who battered his former neighbour in an unprovoked attack, while drunk, has been spared an immediate jail term.

Jason Groves, of Lake Green Road, Lake, appeared before a judge at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Wednesday, July 26.

In June, the 53-year-old was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, after a trial.

The court heard police were called after Groves assaulted a neighbour in his own home, causing a number of facial injuries.

Jim Osborne, defending, said Groves had been brought up in a rough area of Glasgow, where extreme violence was commonplace.

He said Groves moved to the Isle of Wight following the death of both his parents, which impacted on his mental health.

The court heard Groves suffered from epilepsy and focal seizures, and was told stress made these worse.

Mr Osborne told the court Groves, who was intoxicated at the time of the incident, accepted he overreacted and deeply regretted his behaviour on the day.

Groves was handed a six-month prison term, suspended for 12 months, to include 25 rehabilitation days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.

He was also made subject of a restraining order, and ordered to pay a £128 surcharge.