A man who launched an unprovoked attack on an innocent member of the public outside a bar has been jailed for a year.

Tarik Hill, 23, punched Mark Robinson to the ground near Café Cairo in Hamilton after he refused his request for a cigarette.

He then kicked his victim in the face while he was unconscious on the ground, leaving him with a jaw broken on both sides.

Speaking in the aftermath of the attack on August 9 last year, Mr. Robinson said he had been enjoying a night out with friends. He was on his way home around 3.20 a.m. when Hill launched into him after he declined to give him a cigarette.

"I walked away toward my bike but he hit me from behind and I went down to the ground. Then he kicked me in the face.

"I was totally oblivious. I was walking away from the whole confrontation," he said. Mr. Robinson had to undergo surgery on his injuries.

Hill pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. During his sentencing hearing at Magistrates' Court, defence lawyer Kenrick James said he was remorseful over the attack. He told the court Hill needed his freedom to honour his responsibilities to his children — a one-year-old and a three-month-old born prematurely, who is still being treated in hospital.

"He throws himself at the mercy of the court and he begs for one last chance," said Mr. James.

However, Crown counsel Maria Sofianos pointed out that Hill kicked his victim while he was unconscious. "This being such a serious offence, the Crown is asking for immediate custody," she said.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: "In this climate of violence in Bermuda, this is the type of behaviour being complained about, and it must be discouraged."

He pointed to Hill's history of criminality including assault, obstructing Police, fighting and throwing missiles.

"His previous convictions show, to put it bluntly, that he's a man of violence," he commented.

Mr. Warner ordered that Hill's spell behind bars be followed by two years of probation, during which he should receive rehabilitation including anger management training.