A man who admitted assault told a judge it followed 18 months of negativity in his life.
Benjamin Rixen said he suffered a number of setbacks including being stabbed as well as bereavement and had turned to drink and drugs as a result.
Rixen, 29, of Blagdon Road in Whiteway, Bath, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm which occurred on May 1 last year.
Judge William Hart jailed him for 10 months.
He told Rixen: "It was a very unpleasant experience for the victim both physically and for his general well-being.
"You were going through a difficult period in your life."
Jack Duffy, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Rixen and an unidentified male attacked a man called Musa Touray in Blagdon Park, Bath.
The court heard Mr Touray was punched to the ground and kicked and suffered injuries including a damaged tooth.
Rixen, representing himself, told the judge: "I'm deeply sorry. I had 18 months of negative things in my life."
He said that, as well as being stabbed last year after being in the wrong place at the wrong time, his parents had split and he suffered bereavements and lost his way.
Rixen said the assault was not unprovoked and asked the judge to consider either a community order or a suspended sentence.
