A MAN who left his victim needing a dozen stitches to a head wound after smashing a bottle into him has been jailed for 14 months.

David Cook, 25, of Langford Road in Trowbridge, had been drinking when he used the weapon on a man, who he claimed owed him money, in the street brawl.

And the assault came just days after the Cook had gone to the house of his victim's former girlfriend to demand the cash.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court yesterday how Cook had gone to the home of Alison May on New Year's Eve last year.

She said the woman had been in a relationship with Barry Corbett and the defendant said he owed him money.

Miss Marlow said Miss May had told Cook in the past not to come looking for Mr Corbett at her house.

However her daughter had answered the door and let him in.

When Miss May tried to call the police he grabbed the phone and pulled the socket from the wall.

A week later on Monday January 7 Mr Corbett, who had just completed a detox programme, was in Wicker Hill in Trowbridge town centre.

The court heard he and a friend had just bought some sherry from Bargain Booze when he was approached by Cook asking for his money back.

She said exactly what happened next was not clear but Mr Corbett was struck to the head with a bottle leaving him with a wound by his left temple.

He also punched Mr Corbett during the attack, which led to the victim receiving 12 stitches.

Cook admitted criminal damage and unlawful wounding.

The court heard he had a number of previous convictions including another matter of wounding from 2004 when he struck his victim with a stepladder.

Alex Daymond, defending, said the wound caused by the bottle was superficial and the stitches used were paper steristrips.

His client had spent about five months in custody on remand, he said, and urged the court to pass a community order.

He said he could receive help for his drinking rather than spending more time in prison and being released without assistance.

While he has been in custody he said Cook had taken a number of courses and been off drink.

Judge Douglas Field said: "What you did was inexcusable in respect of both of these matters.

"You barged your way into somebody's house and when they threaten to phone the police you rip the phone out of the socket, which must have been very frightening and intimidating for that lady.

"A few days later while in drink you hit someone about the head with a bottle."