A man who whacked a drinking pal over the head with a stolen bottle of wine has been ordered to do 120 hours of community service.

Andrew Goodship, who last year rescued a man from the river, had gone to his victim’s house with a third man to carry on drinking after a night in the pub.

But they started arguing in the flat and the 32-year-old used the bottle he had stolen on the way from the pub to hit Calum Raisey.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon crown court how Mr Raisey had gone to the Four Seasons pub in Chippenham on Thursday December 11 last year.

He met the defendant and another man in the bar and they all decided to go back to his home to carry on drinking together.

On the way she said they stopped at McColls newsagent where Goodship stole the bottle of wine before continuing to Mr Raisey’s home.

Miss Marlow said an argument flared up again when the third man was accusing Mr Raisey of owing him a pint.

“The defendant got up of the settee taking a couple of steps towards the complainant and struck him in the head with the bottle of wine. He had in his hand having lost his temper.

“The defendant then threw the bottle of wine of the sofa and left. He accepts he caused bruising to the head.”

The court heard that Mr Raisey also suffered a broken jaw which it is accepted was caused by the other man.

Goodship, of Cowleaze Crescent, Chippenham, pleaded guilty to theft and common assault.

Paul Grumbar, defending, handed in cuttings from the Gazette and Herald telling the tale of his heroics last October.

“Originally he just walked away from having rescued this man and was later identified,” he said.

He also handed in references from voluntary work he does saying the offence took place when he was drunk during a difficult period in his life.

Passing sentence Judge Douglas Field said “I have been very much impressed by reading the up to date reports and apart from this fall from grace last December you have really done quite exceptionally well.”