A 35-YEAR-OLD man who beat up his one his best friends leaving him with a broken nose and cheekbone was at a loss to explain his actions in court.

David Mills, from Samphire Walk in Bridgwater, was out celebrating his birthday with one of his closest friends in Bridgwater's Palace nightclub when he suddenly attacked his friend, Taunton Crown Court heard today (Friday, January 5).

Prosecuting, Emma Martin told the court the two men were out on September 16 for Mr Mills birthday. They had played rugby during the day, followed by drinking at various pubs in Bridgwater in the evening before the pair made their way to Palace.

"The two became separated in the club, but later in the evening, the victim was coming out of the toilet when his friend set upon him with a barrage headbutts and punches," Mrs Martin said.

"The victim did not have time to say anything or defend himself before the blows were raining down upon him."

Individuals in the nightclub stepped in to break up the brawl but the victim did not find out the full extent of his injuries until the following morning.

"Outside the club, the victim asked Mills what happened and was told to 'F*** off'. Mills was then on the phone to a friend bragging about what he had just done," Mrs Martin said.

The victim was taken to hospital with a deep five-inch gash to his forehead and scans revealed he had broken his nose and a cheekbone.

The victim blocked his friend's number and deleted him from Facebook and they have not made contact since.

Rebecca Bradberry, defending Mills, said he could not remember the attack when he was told about the following morning in the police interview.

"When he found out what had happened he was extremely apologetic and remorseful. He still does not know what happened. He is not normally like that and has promised to stop drinking heavily, even though he only did so occasionally prior to this event," Ms Bradberry said.

"He is sorry his actions means he has ruined a good friendship," she said.

The victim was forced to miss a month from work due to his injuries, and Judge Robert Linford ordered Mills to pay £750 compensation.

Judge Linford added: "What you did was astounding and unforgivable. You inexplicably attacked a friend of yours. This is your first conviction for violence and it had better be your last."

Judge Lindon sentenced Mills to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work on top of the compensation.