A drunken accounts manager who floored a man with a single punch, fracturing his skull, has been given a suspended jail term.
Liam Kennedy argued with Aron Tasfahunegn outside Mbargo night club in Clifton.
Bristol Crown Court heard Mr Tasfahunegn fell to the pavement and sustained a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain.
Kennedy, 25, whose address was given as Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on December 6 last year.
Judge William Hart imposed a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He told Kennedy: "Your case really highlights a difficulty that sentencers have up and down the country.
"On one hand the victim suffered a very unpleasant injury.
"On the other hand a defendant who has acted wholly out of character.
"A defendant who inflicted one foolish blow under the influence of drink and cocaine who bitterly regrets what he's done."
The judge ordered Kennedy to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work and pay his victim £1,000 compensation.
Ellen McAnaw, prosecuting, said Kennedy felled Mr Tasfahunegn with the single punch after a row outside the night club.
Mr Tasfahunegn was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary and then to Southmead Hospital, the court heard.
Kennedy was interviewed by police and expressed remorse on several occasions.
Matthew Comer, defending, urged for a suspended jail term.
Mr Comer told the court: "He has not attempted to blame anybody but himself.
"He accepts being intoxicated.
"He is not somebody who drinks excessively on a regular basis.
"Since he has not drank excessively and he has not taken cocaine."
