A HAMPSHIRE man with a history of violence headbutted another man in the face during an altercation at a Southampton casino.

Thomas Weir was left with a badly injured nose and needing stitches near his eye after he was attacked by Darcy Henry.

Henry, who was out drinking with friends in Genting Casino, attacked Mr Weir following an altercation at the bar.

The 32-year-old also pleaded guilty to using homophobic language towards a detention officer following a separate incident in December last year.

Henry was given a suspended sentence by magistrates, who described his offences as “very serious”.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that Henry was drinking with friends at the casino in Terminus Terrace in December 2017.

While standing at the bar, he became involved in a short altercation with Mr Weir, whom he then headbutted in the face.

Prosecutor Liam Hunter told the court that Mr Weir suffered a serious nose injury in the incident, and was forced to use a nasal spray for three months.

In mitigation, Henry – representing himself – claimed Mr Weir had acted aggressively towards him and he had acted in self- defence.

Mr Hunter, on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, rejected the claim.

Mr Hunter also told the court that Henry had abused a detention officer at Southampton Central Police station in December, as he was being restrained during a separate incident.

Henry insulted the officer’s weight and used “homophobic language” towards him.

Mr Hunter added that Henry had an "established history of violent offending", including a previous conviction for battery.

Speaking in court, Henry admitted he had anger issues and said he would like to work with probation to address his problems.

He pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive language, causing actual bodily harm, and failing to surrender to court following a missed appearance on January 17.

Magistrates sentenced him to 20 weeks for the assault and added a three-week consecutive sentence for the abusive language.

Henry was also given a two-week concurrent sentence for failing to report.

Magistrates opted to suspended the sentence for 18 months and imposed a community order to run throughout that period.

Henry, of Poppy Close, Locks Heath, was also ordered to pay £560 in compensation to Mr Weir and £250 to the detention officer.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and court costs of £85.