A 22-year-old Ipswich man is today facing a charge of grievous bodily harm after a man sustained a serious eye injury outside a pub near the docks.

Ben Redman, of Duke Street, Ipswich, was charged following a police inquiry which lasted nearly five months.

A 53-year-old man was said to have been seriously hurt after a large fight erupted outside the Lord Nelson public house in Fore Street.

The alleged brawl occurred at 3.10am on Sunday, December 12.

The injured man was reported to have hit his head on the pavement after a punch allegedly caused him to fall to the ground.

The man is also said to have sustained other injuries, including a suspected broken nose, as a result of the alleged attack.

At the time it was believed he had also fractured other bones.

Paramedics were called, although the man is understood to have been taken to Ipswich Hospital in a police vehicle.

Officers arrested Redman just before 4.10pm on the same day.

However, after being questioned by police he was released on bail pending further enquiries.

Redman was charged after answering his bail at Ipswich police station on Wednesday.

Louise Rosher, a spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary, said Redman was accused of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

After being charged Redman was released on bail until his court case.

He must now appear before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court in Ipswich for the first hearing of his case on May 16.