Rory Patrick Flanagan (23) from Crossgar admitted maliciously wounding David Battisti with a pint glass but said it was self defence.

Both the prosecution and the defence agreed that the seconds leading to the injured party sustaining the injuries were "confused" as there were a number of conflicting witness accounts.

Mr Battisti (20) sustained two facial wounds and following four medical procedures to his eye, the court heard there is a "strong chance" he will lose the sight in one eye with a possibility the vision in his other eye may be affected in the future.

Crown prosecutor Kate McKay said the two young men, who did not know each other, were both upstairs in the Botanic Inn on the evening of June 17, 2006.

Mr Battisti was dancing with his friends as Flanagan was making his way through the crowd on the dancefloor. Mrs McKay said the two " accidentally bumped into each other" with both giving a different version of events as to what happened next.

Mr Battisti said Flanagan approached him resulting in "some pushing and shoving" and a scuffle which resulting in the defendant lashing out with a pint glass in his hand.

Flanagan claimed he walked away but was followed by Mr Battisti. He said they pushed each other before he was punched. He reacted by " instinctively" striking out.

Patrick Lyttle QC, for Flanagan, cited the incident as a "complete and utter aberration" which was over in seconds.

Telling the court his client sustained unaccountable injuries as a result of the incident - including a broken nose and facial bruising - he said, " there was drink taken by both parties".

Mr Lyttle said the actions of Flanagan, an accountancy student at the University of Ulster, were out of character, adding his client felt genuine remorse for Mr Battisti's injuries.

His Honour Judge Tom Burgess said Mr Battisti's injuries were a "stark reminder" of why the courts do not tolerate crimes where such weapons as glasses are used.

The judge accepted the defendant was a man of good character whose remorse was genuine but spoke of the devastating effect the incident has had on the injured party.

He said: "In a matter of seconds the lives of two young men of good character were blighted permanently."