A MAN who left his victim with a 'chunk of his lip' missing after an alleyway fight is to be released from prison imminently, a court heard.

Nathan Hughes, of Bryn Seirion in Denbigh, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old had admitted one count of malicious wounding, which took place on May 3 this year.

David Mainstone, prosecuting, told the court that on the day in question, the victim - Leo Marshall-Thomas - was at the Vaults pub in Denbigh.

At around 10.30pm, the defendant appeared at the door to the pub but wasn't let in as he was barred.

Mr Marshall-Thomas went out to speak to him, with the two men and a female going down an alley at the side of the pub.

Shortly afterwards, shocked onlookers saw the victim bending over and protecting his head as Hughes "rained punches down on him."

The defendant ran away down the alley, leaving the victim with a "shocking injury."

Mr Mainstone said: "A large chunk of is lower lip was missing," but he added the victim in the case had not cooperated with the investigation, so the court had no information about any lasting consequences.

When interviewed by the police, Hughes gave an account that was undermined by CCTV evidence.

Hughes has 34 previous convictions for 92 offences - ten of which are violence related and a "great deal" of which relate to dishonesty offences including burglary.

Denbighshire Free Press: Nathan Hughes (NWP)Nathan Hughes (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)

Sarah Yates, defending, told the court: "He has now spent a considerable time in custody and is focused on his release. He has used the time in custody constructively.

"The defendant is apologetic. This is someone who can keep out of trouble when he puts his mind to it.

"But his record is unenviable, to put it bluntly.

"He was remanded on May 26, so has already served just short of six months - which in reality means he has served nearly the equivalent of a 12 month sentence."

Recorder Simon Mills told the defendant that whilst his time on remand would likely mean the custodial sentence he was about to receive would be deemed as served almost immediately, he implored him to listen to his advice.

"I want you to think about the way you sometimes behave," he told him.

"I don't know what happened in that alleyway, apart from there was a fight in which I accept you acted in excessive self-defence.

"There was obviously some grievance between the two of you.

"You have a problem with controlling yourself - and the risk with a problem like that is that you'll one day do something really serious, causing someone significant harm.

"Try to live a positive and decent life in the future.

"The sentence is 11 months. You'll do half [in custody], and probably already have - then you'll be on post-sentence supervision.

"I urge you to comply with the requirements of your pose-sentence supervision."