A “GOOD boy” who left a man with a scar on his face after hitting him with a bottle in Winchester has avoided being sent straight to prison.

Kyle Bell, 18, and his brother Jordan were involved in a confrontation with victim Azhar Soomro who had been socialising with their sister.

But the altercation turned violent when Bell, who was 16 at the time, had a “momentary less of temper control” and struck Mr Soomro across his face as he turned to walk away.

Bell was convicted of unlawful wounding following a trial and appeared at Winchester Crown Court on May 28 to be sentenced. Jordan was found not guilty of affray.

Mr Soomro will have to have reconstructive surgery for the visible scar, but the incident has “made him anxious about being attacked essentially from behind”.

Mr Recorder N Casey added: “He is repeatedly asked what caused it and he repeatedly has to relive what caused the scar.”

The court was told that Bell, of Sheridan Close, Stanmore, brought the bottle to the clash, but said that he did not intend to use it.

In mitigation, Paul Fairley said Bell is “the good boy”, according to his grandmother as his brother is a prolific offender.

Mr Fairley added: “We are effectively dealing with someone who was a child at the time and now, according to the pre-sentence report, lacks maturity.”

During the hearing, Recorder Casey said: “The defendant bought a bottle to the incident not necessarily intending to use it. He and his brother decided to have a confrontation that only needed to be verbally.

“He (Mr Soomro) was struck once with a bottle, that was not broken, the single blow caused the injury.”

The recorder added: “The defendant’s brother probably bears some responsibility for this defendant being in the dock.”

Bell was handed a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He must also do 160 hours unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation days and must pay £800 in compensation.

The attack was previously considered as racially aggravated but that element was later removed.