A HEROIN addict has been given a community order for punching and pushing a man to the ground in Hereford.

Anthony Leake, 49, from Addison Court, Hereford pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the first day of his trial.

He was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court today to a 12 month community order with a supervision order to help manage his alcohol and drug misuse.

The court heard that on October 26, 2012 the victim, Richard Tedstone, was walking home from the Broadleys pub in Hereford at about 11pm.

He met two female friends on the way home, before Leake and a friend with two dogs approached on the opposite side of the road.

There was an exchange of words between Mr Tedstone and Leake, who then crossed the road.

Leake pushed Mr Tedstone to the floor and then punched him on the nose when he got back up, which caused it to bleed. Mr Tedstone punched him back.

Leake's friend tried to intervene and his two dogs bit Mr Tedstone on the arm causing superficial puncture wounds.

Police were called and Leake ran away.

Prosecuting, Sally Cairns, said Mr Tedstone sustained a bruised nose and two fractured bones in his right wrist.

In mitigation, Mark Thompson said it was never Leake's intention to cause the injuries but he accepts his actions were reckless.

He said Leake had a job as a chef for six years before an industrial accident last October meant he had to finish work.

He said since then Leake has fallen back into his use of heroin, which is being managed.

Judge Toby Hooper QC said: "You have no relevant convictions, although not an unblemished personal history. There is one similar offence- the lesser offence of battery ten years before this one, and 12 years before today."

He said Leake's risk of reoffending is low and gave him a 12 month community order with a supervision order.