A pub licensee who punched a customer and then smashed him over the head with a pint glass has been jailed for 19 months.

Simon Clarke, 54, of Albion Street, Saxmundham, attacked the man aged in his mid-30s without any provocation at the former Cooper’s Dip pub in Saxmundham.

The attack left the victim with lacerations to his head and led to the suspension of Clarke’s licence for the premises, which was eventually revoked.

This was despite Clarke appealing the decision.

Clarke pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm (GBH) and common assault at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, November 12.

He was given a 19–month prison sentence and ordered to pay £750 in compensation, as well as £1,000 in costs.

On the night of Wednesday, February 7, Suffolk Constabulary was called at 8.40pm with reports of a suspected altercation at the Cooper’s Dip pub in Saxmundham.

A police spokesman said the victim was drinking in the pub when a “sort of altercation” broke out involving Clarke.

The victim sustained a one and a half to two-inch cut to the back of his head and loss of hearing in his left ear.

He was taken to hospital by a friend where he received treatment for his injuries.

Clarke was arrested at roughly 11.30pm the same night and taken into custody at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre.

He was released under investigation the next day, and later re-arrested and charged with GBH, also at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre, on April 9.

Responding to the sentencing, DC Matt Rogers, of Lowestoft CID, said the result was “extremely satisfying” and praised members of the public for assisting police in the wake of the crime.

“To see Clarke jailed for over 18 months is extremely satisfying as he was an intimidating and threatening individual,” he said.

“His conviction demonstrates that when members of the public are prepared to assist police in reporting criminal offences, witnesses are listened to and supported throughout the investigation process by police and the courts.”

The pub was closed for a time but has since been re-opened under new management.

It is now known as the Railway Tavern and is run by Paul Summers.