A JEALOUS man headbutted his friend when he saw him arriving at the pub with his ex.

Slade Brooks, 26, had already downed ten pints and shots after a heavy session at the Mash Tun in Brighton.

His friend Josh Barua-Fowle, who he had grown up with in South Africa, arrived there with a woman Brooks had previously broken up with.

Mr Barua-Fowle moved to hug his friend but was attacked, Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard.

Brooks was not able to control his emotions and shock, it was claimed.

He headbutted his former friend, leaving him with a shattered nose.

In court, Brooks, a computer scientist studying artificial intelligence, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Paul Lamb, prosecuting, said the trouble happened at the pub in Church Street, Brighton, in January last year.

Brooks was out drinking with friends during the afternoon and had not expected to see his former girlfriend and best friend together.

Mr Barua-Fowle said he had “harrowing” memories of the attack and has been left feeling anxious and afraid.

“It was a traumatic assault,” he said.

The probation service interviewed Brooks, who was “apologetic” and “remorseful” about what he had done.

A probation officer said: “He has an overwhelming feeling of disbelief that he committed such an offence.

“It is surprising to him the level violence used.

“On the night in question he had drunk ten pints of alcohol and maybe some shots.

“The issue between him and the other parties was jealousy.

“He had been going out with the lady up until the summer of 2018. He grew up with the victim and went to the same schools.

“The victim had started a romantic relationship about a month after the dissolution of his relationship, but he didn’t find out about this.

“That is strange because Brighton is quite a small place, where news spreads, it is like a fishing village on steroids.

“Yet Mr Brooks felt he was the last person to know.”

Salome Verrell, defending, said the conviction would have a serious impact on Brooks, affecting his ability to work in the technology industry.

She said Brooks had been shocked and without time to think about his emotions, and had “done the stupid thing” to headbutt his friend.

Brooks has no previous convictions, she said.

Magistrate Nicholas Letherby said: “This was a very serious crime that could have caused potentially greater harm than what actually ended up happening.

“It has destroyed a friendship as well.”

Brooks, of Beaconsfield Road, Brighton, was given a six-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service and ten rehabilitation sessions.

Brooks was also told to pay a total of £2,085 compensation to Mr Barua-Fowle, who needed surgery to his nose.