A NEWPORT man butted his friend causing facial injuries which needed surgery under anaesthetic in a row over £40.

Alex Fear, 22, of Bideford Road, reacted with anger near Maesglas shops because Kyle Jones had not given back two lots of £20 to Fear's mother.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said Fear only escaped going to prison on Thursday because his injured friend had forgiven him.

Newport Crown Court heard matters came to a head in May when the pair, who have known each other all their lives, bumped into each other at the shops.

Prosecutor Jason Howells said Mr Jones tried to explain that he had not forgotten to pay the money back because he had suffered the loss of his grandmother, but Fear started swearing and gestured for them to go round the corner.

The court heard Fear, who pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH), punched Mr Jones several times to the face before headbutting him, which caused bleeding.

The victim's injuries included multiple fractures to the cheekbones, a fractured eye socket, bruising and swelling to the left eye, minor wounds to the nose and tenderness.

Defending, Nicholas Gareth Jones said the attack did not go on for any length of time and the victim did not go to the floor.

Handing Fear an 18 month sentence suspended for two years, judge Rhys Rowlands said he had shown no remorse, adding: "You have got an awful lot to be thankful to Mr Jones for. He's the reason you have not gone to prison today."

Fear will also have to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, comply with a three month curfew at his home address between 8pm and 6am and pay a £100 victim surcharge.