Daniel Walker (18) over-reacted after his victim started a row and launched the first blow, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

Walker, of Albert Street, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Brandon Kinear on 2nd March and was handed a suspended prison sentence.

The victim suffered a fractured skull but no brain injury, the court was told on Monday.

Judge Andrew Hamilton told Walker he had not been in trouble before but drank quite a lot.

"You're a boxer and know how to land a punch," the judge said.

"You knocked him to the ground and he hit his head on the ground. You're going to have to learn to curb your temper.

"If there had not been an element of self defence you would have been going to jail."

In mitigation, Walker's barrister Sarah Munro said Mr Kinear had struck Walker to the face causing him an injury.

Mr Kinear, who is South African by birth, has now gone back to his home country.

Walker's sentence was 36 weeks suspended for two years with supervision, 200 hours unpaid work and £500 costs.