A MAN has dodged prison after he unleashed an unprovoked and serious attack on another man.

Jamie James, of Blackfriars Way, attacked Barry James and broke his front window in Totton, Hampshire, on January 24.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assault on February 5.

James was sentenced to 16 weeks' imprisonment for the assault and four weeks for the criminal damage concurrently, each suspended for 18 months, at Southampton Magistrates' Court on July 1.

The court viewed his offending so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified as it was an "unprovoked attack of a serious nature committed in a domestic context".

However, the sentence was suspended as there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitating the defendant, despite him not complying with a presentencing report.

A restraining order was imposed preventing James from contacting the victim.

James must also pay £150 compensation, £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.