Scott Stevenson launched an attack on pal Peter Shields in fancy Glasgow nightclub, The Corinthian, on February 2 last year.

The men had been out as part of a group ‘wetting the baby’s head’ after Mr Shields became a dad.

But “out of the blue” Stevenson — a project manager for a landscaping company — punched his friend to the floor then repeatedly hit him about the head and face.

Mr Shields suffered a suspected fractured eye socket and a cut on his lip that needed stitched and has left a scar.

Stevenson, 38, pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Mr Shields to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Sheriff Andrew Normand handed Stevenson a community payback order with the condition that he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within six months.

He has also to pay a compensation order of £300 within six months and will be supervised for eight months.

The court heard Mr Shields, a painter and decorator, and Stevenson were friends for a long time.

Procurator fiscal depute Niall Macdonald said: “The occasion was that Mr Shields had recently become a father and he and friends had gone out to celebrate that fact.

“In relation to the relationship at the material time, in the recent period leading up to the offence, it seems that Mr Shields had considered their friendship had diluted somewhat.” The court heard Mr Shields felt Stevenson invited himself out on that evening to join the group.

They arrived at late night hotspot around 1am after being out since 9pm.

Mr Macdonald said: “From Mr Shields’ perspective, the accused out of the blue attacked him, by pushing him which caused him to go to the floor and repeatedly punching him with substantial force about he head and in particular about the face.” This went on for a short time before the other friends managed to intervene and pull the accused from Mr Shields.

Security then became involved and removed Stevenson from the nightclub. Mr Shields was taken to hospital.

He was later interviewed by police and made no comment throughout.

The court was told Mr Shields has been left with a small scar and has grown a moustache and beard.

Mr Macdonald said the victim suffers some numbness around the area of the scar although this could improve.

It was said on Stevenson’s behalf that he had drank a lot on that night and hadn’t taken medication he should have.

The court was also told that Mr Shields had been “teasing” him although Stevenson was ashamed and remorseful for what he had done.