A teacher out walking with his friend was stabbed in the arm with a pair of scissors when he got caught up in city centre violence.
Prosecutors say the victim was targeted without reason as he walked past the Travel Lodge in Sunderland city centre last spring and was chased and then jabbed in the arm by Nathan McCabe.
McCabe admitted he carried out the violence but said he lashed out because a stranger had tried to kiss his girlfriend then they both were attacked, which caused him to "become annoyed".
He said he then jabbed out with the scissors in anger.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the injury to the teacher's arm was superficial and was caused by a small pair of scissors.
As no evidence was offered to dispute McCabe's account, he was sentenced on that basis.
McCabe, 21, of Ashwell Road, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to assault and possessing an offensive weapon.
Judge Edward Bindloss said the case was "unusual" and sentenced him to seven months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements.
A 17-year-old who was convicted of affray in relation to the incident has been dealt with by the youth court.
Judge Bindloss told McCabe: "You stated you were with your girlfriend, who was age 17 or 18. One of the males tried to kiss her and she pushed him away and the male punched her to the ground.
"Then, when you went over, you were assaulted and put to the ground.
"You then became annoyed and took some scissors from your bag and you stabbed a male in the arm with them."
The teacher said in his victim statement he did "absolutely nothing wrong and didn't deserve to be assaulted in any way".
He added: "I feared for my life."
Liam O'Brien, defending, said McCabe has "completely turned his life around" since the attack 18 months ago and is "now a completely different person".
Mr O'Brien said in the time since the offence McCabe has gained qualifications and has been accepted for a good job abroad.
