A MAN who attacked a fellow heavy drinker in Kendal has been spared prison.

But a judge warned Shane Routledge that unless he seeks help for alcohol abuse: "You and I will meet again."

Carlisle Crown Court heard Routledge, of Rydal Road, was at his address on the night of August 6 when he assaulted David Wallace.

Beccy McGregor, prosecuting, said Mr Wallace spent two days in hospital and underwent a brain scan afterwards. "The defendant accepts that he took hold of the complainant and threw him into a wall," said Ms McGregor.

"Mr Wallace banged his head on a radiator and fell to the floor. As a result of this, the defendant believes Mr Wallace suffered a cut to his head.

"It is further accepted that the defendant punched David Wallace twice when he had fallen on the floor."

Ms McGregor added: "He was bleeding heavily. He was covered in blood."

Mr Wallace had understood the violence was in response to an attack on Routledge years earlier.

But Ms McGregor gave Routledge's explanation, saying: "The defendant acted in this way because David Wallace had urinated on the floor of the bathroom."

Routledge, who admitted actual bodily harm assault, spoke of drinking 10 to 15 cans of lager that day. Meanwhile Mr Wallace - who had since died, the court heard - previously said he would consume up to six litres of cider daily.

A probation officer said Routledge had "expressed remorse" for his offending, and confirmed help was available to him in the community. 

Chris Evans, defending, described that way forward as both "constructive and realistic".

Judge Peter Davies suspended a six-month jail term for two years, imposing six months' alcohol treatment and rehabilitation.

He told Routledge: "There's no point in me giving you a sentence of alcohol treatment, and the probation service and (alcohol recovery service) Unity trying to help you if you don't want to help yourself."

Routledge replied: "I do want to help myself, judge, honestly."

Judge Davies responded: "If I find out still you're drinking when all of these people are helping you, you and I will meet again."