Craig Foster was waiting to meet girlfriend Becky Fletcher at Carter Lane Workingmen's Club when Lee Spizer behaved aggressively towards him and had to be pulled away by another man, Peter Taylor.

Later Spizer jumped in front of Mr Foster as he walked Miss Fletcher home, pushed him into a wall and said: "What are you going to say to me now?"

He then pushed Mr Foster into a garage door and punched him on the head and face, knocking off his spectacles, Chesterfield magistrates were told last Wednesday.

Prosecutor Helen Griffiths said Mr Taylor was present and told Spizer to 'leave it' several times.

"He said he felt shocked and upset that someone he considered a friend could assault him in this way," said Mrs Griffiths.

Mr Foster told police he believed the attack took place because Miss Fletcher had previously been out with a friend of Spizer and the defendant had made disapproving comments about her.

Spizer was arrested and said he had known Mr Foster for 12 years and they had several arguments after his friend began seeing Miss Fletcher.

He was drunk after drinking an alcohol mix called 'turbo-shandies' and he lashed out because he was frustrated by Mr Foster ignoring his advice to finish with her.

Spizer (24), of Recreation Road, admitted the 1st June assault – committed while he was subject to a four-month suspended jail sentence imposed for assault on police during a dispute with bouncers.

The bench locked him up for 28 weeks

Probation officer Julia Gillott said: "He says he knew things about the victim's partner and tried to tell him on numerous occasions and, due to being in drink, his emotions got the better of him on the night of the offence.

Jon Barber, for Spizer, said: "He set off trying to do the right thing for his friend but a confrontation ultimately occurred."