A YORK pubgoer was today starting a nine months jail sentence for blinding another drinker in one eye with a beer glass.

Last month, a jury convicted Steven Dalton, 30, of unlawful wounding after hearing how he had hit Paul Anderson in the face during a dispute at The Junction on Leeman Road.

Dalton, of Carnot Street, off Leeman Road, York, had denied the charge. He claimed he had acted in self-defence and did not realise he had a glass in his hand.

During the three-day trial at York Crown Court, the jury heard prosecution witnesses describe how Dalton reacted angrily after an accident with a swing door involving Mr Anderson's girlfriend, Lita Rollinson, as she left the pub.

Although she apologised at least twice, Dalton shouted and insulted her.

When Mr Anderson tried to intervene, Dalton hit him in his face with the beer glass.

Fragments of glass went into Mr Anderson's left eye and made several cuts on his face. The two knew each other casually as both drank at the pub.

Although doctors removed the glass fragments with an operation, Mr Anderson lost the sight in his left eye.

The court heard the argument began about 11pm on October 18 last year, when Ms Rollinson got up to leave the pub after spending much of the evening there with Mr Anderson.

As she pushed through the swing doors leading out of the lounge Dalton was nearly hit. Mr Anderson, who had remained behind to finish up his drink, was soon with her and tried to calm the situation down.

But Dalton would not calm down and the two men pushed each other.

Then Mr Anderson was aware of a smashing noise and found himself covered in blood.

Updated: 10:06 Tuesday, November 16, 2004