A 22-year-old high on a cocktail of drink and drugs when he struck a man about the head with a bottle outside a Trowbridge nightclub, has been jailed for three years.

Radouane Bendhiyaf set upon his victim outside Club Blue following a minor fracas inside the town centre night-spot, a court was told.

But in the attack that followed, victim Ricky Dell was struck about the head numerous times with an empty bottle, knocking him to the ground.

Paul Cook, prosecuting, said: "Trouble started at about 1am on June 2 when Ricky Dell was on his mobile phone inside the club."

"The defendant approached him and snatched it from him. He grabbed it back but was punched in the face, causing his nose to bleed.

"Bouncers stepped in and took the defendant in one direction while Ricky Dell and his friend were shown out of the back door.

"Ricky Dell then made his way to the front of the club to make a phone call from a public phone box, and unfortunately the defendant was also at the front of the club.

"He ran towards him holding a bottle by the neck and then hit him hard to the head three to four times. He then put his arm around his head and hit him again.

"Ricky Dell fell to the ground and was then kicked, punched and hit by the defendant. He managed to get to his feet and ran into the front of the club where he collapsed. He was helped by the bouncers there."

The victim was taken to hospital where a cut to his head was closed with seven staple stitches. He was treated for cuts and bruises to his face, jaw, ears and body.

When he was interviewed by police Bendhiyaf, of Honeymans Close, Trowbridge, said he was not at the club and provided an alibi.

But at an earlier hearing he admitted wounding with intent. The court heard he had previous convictions for actual bodily harm and common assault.

Alan Fuller, defending, said his client did not accept he kicked or punched the victim on the ground.

He said that Bendhiyaf, who had taken half an ecstasy tablet, had a problem with alcohol and violence.

Mr Fuller said his client, who has always worked since leaving school, bitterly regrets what happened and he handed in a letter to the court from the victim saying he had forgiven his attacker.