A BRAUNTON man has been told it was lucky that he did not accidentally kill a Royal Marine who he glassed following a row over who had the bigger biceps.

George Reuth, 20, of Beacon Heights, was given eight months in jail, suspended for two years at Exeter Crown Court on Friday.

Reuth pleaded guilty to assaulting Daniel O'Sullivan, occasioning him actual bodily harm at the George Hotel in Braunton.

Recorder Andrew Maitland said: "A few inches lower or a few inches further and it could have been fatal. The courts are sick and tired of these incidents happening time and time again."

Mr Maitland said the trouble started after Reuth and Mr O'Sullivan's group of friends began bantering about physical prowess and muscle size.

Prosecutor Emily Pitts said the two groups were playing pool against each other at the hotel on January 23 this year.

She said: "There was teasing between Mr O'Sullivan and the defendant's friend, which was taken the wrong way.

"Mr O'Sullivan and the defendant's friend were squaring up to each other and matters were getting slightly out of hand.

"None of this involved the defendant. The crown says, without warning, this defendant approached Mr O'Sullivan from the rear and smashed the glass into the side of his face."

The victim was later treated by a nurse at RMB Chivenor and suffered some scarring because he had not gone to hospital immediately after the incident.

The prosecutor said Reuth has expressed remorse to police and apologised to the victim in person.

He has one previous conviction for a public order offence.

Defence counsel Gareth Evans said: "The defendant feared matters were going to escalate.

"Because of his intoxication, he lashed out with the glass in his hand.

"He'd quite simply forgotten he had it in his hand.

"He has ambitions to join the Royal Marines himself. This was a moment of complete and utter madness wholly out of character for this young man."

Recorder Mr Maitland said he did not give a prison sentence because it was a single, unplanned blow and Reuth was remorseful and had good character references.

Reuth was also ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and given a six-month curfew to stay at home on Friday and Saturday nights between 6.45pm and 6am.

He must also pay £500 compensation to his victim and £1,200 costs.