A MAN who kicked a fellow drinker in the face while he was being held down on the floor has been jailed for eight years.

The 42-year-old victim was in Cromwell’s, in Huntingdon, with his girlfriend on the evening of January 8, when he was bottled in the face by Andrew Sawyer, 37.

The victim left the pub but the attack continued outside. Sawyer’s friend held the man down before Sawyer ran up and kicked him in the face.

Sawyer fled the scene while the victim was taken to Hinchingbrooke Hospital where he was treated for a fractured eye socket, broken nose and fractured cheek. He also needed several stitches for cuts to his head.

Sawyer, of Essex Road, Huntingdon, denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted following a three-day trial at Huntingdon Crown Court last week.

Judge Nicholas Coleman jailed him for eight years on Friday (November 18).

Detective Constable Vanessa Dodds, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal, unprovoked attack on a man enjoying a night out with his girlfriend.

“He was held down on the floor while Sawyer kicked him in the face, causing horrific injuries. It is only sheer luck he was not more seriously wounded.”