ONE punch from a former Royal Marine resulted in the loss of a man's eyesight.

Thomas Murphy, 24, of Kenwater Close, Leominster has been given a 21-month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm at Hereford Crown Court.

Murphy severely damaged a man’s eye socket after punching him, causing loss of sight in his right eye.

The attack followed a late-night scuffle between two groups on June 2 last year outside of The Ducker Bar in Leominster.

Murphy threw one punch at Nicholas Andrews, which knocked him to the ground, the court heard.

Rachel Pennington, prosecuting, said: “Medical evidence demonstrates, even with an operation, that the loss of his eyesight will be permanent.”

She explained that the attack has caused significant damage to Mr Andrews, now making him feel nervous when in large crowds.

Murphy has three previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol, obstructing a police officer and using threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to cause violence.

But Mark Thompson, defending, said: “This is out of character with someone who had a good career in the army.

“Civilian life, once you’ve been in that environment, is hard. I’m sure there is a readjustment that needs to take place.” H

e went into the armed forces at the age of 18 and now works as a self-employed steel erector.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins said, regarding the victim,: “This has had an effect on his personality, his family and his working ability.”

Murphy was additionally issued 150 hours of unpaid work, an exclusion order for six months from any licensed premises, and to take part in an anger management programme with ten days of rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was ordered to pay £620 of court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.