A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been given a suspended prison sentence for throwing a punch which may have broken a man’s jaw.

David Carnall, of Mallard Drive, Witney, was sentenced on Tuesday at Oxford Crown Court after he admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

The teenager punched Jozef Fullerton on the jaw on Thursday, September 12, last year when he was in a “vulnerable position” and was trying to get back up.

Naomi Perry, prosecuting, said his victim was attacked at about 3.15pm after walking towards an astro turf area in Ducklington Lane, Witney.

She told Recorder Patrick Hamlin that Mr Fullerton was first attacked by the defendant’s friend Samuel Webb, who punched him to the ground.

Miss Perry said it was as his victim was trying to stand up that Carnall landed a single punch, which knocked him to the floor and ended the incident.

The barrister added this punch ”probably” caused Fullerton’s fractured jaw, but it was not possible to say for certain.

She said he had to have an operation under general anaesthetic and spent two days in hospital.

Mr Hamlin heard mitigation that Carnall, who works as a machine operator, has already started to address his problems.

Defence barrister Paul Harvey said his client had been drinking to excess, but was seeking counselling to help him cut down.

Recorder Hamlin, said: “I am worried about this young man’s apparent way of life – drinking too much, taking drugs, mixing with the wrong people.”

But he said he would give Carnall a chance to change his ways and sentenced him to 12-months detention, suspended for two years.

He will also be under supervision for 12 months and has to pay £400 compensation and a £100 victims’ surcharge .