A MAN headbutted a pubgoer only minutes after his victim wished him “Happy birthday”.

Michael Ellis launched the unprovoked attack on Wyndham Nurse who was socialising with his wife, Wendy, in The Welch Fusilier pub in Wrexham.

Mr Nurse, 54, was left with a bloodied head and lip and District Judge Gwyn Jones told Ellis he had used his head “as a weapon” for no reason and that he could have been sent to prison.

But after learning how Ellis had been affected by “life-changing” injuries the judge handed him a community sentence for 12 months during which time Ellis must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told North East Wales Magistrates Court that the Nurses bumped into Ellis’ mother in the pub and she told them she was celebrating her son’s 28th birthday with him.

“Mr Nurse wished him Happy Birthday and went outside for a cigarette. But when he returned Ellis’ behaviour changed, he was erratic and was taking deep breaths,” said the prosecutor.

Ellis came over and said “Thanks for that mate” before headbutting Mr Nurse without warning.

His wife heard a “clack” as contact was made and then found herself pushed to the floor.

The pair went to Wrexham Maleor Hospital where scans confirmed neither of them had suffered serious injury.

When he was arrested Ellis, of no fixed abode, claimed he could remember nothing until he was shown the Chester Street pub’s CCTV footage showing the attack.

Ellis admitted two counts of assault by beating at Wrexham on November 1.

The Mold court heard he was living in a tent in Ruabon as he “finds it difficult living with people” after he was stabbed by a former partner.

Bethan Jones, defending, said: “This is a very troubled young man. He accepts what he did was wrong, but he has no recollection of it.

“He thinks the combination of alcohol and his own medication has caused this.”

Ellis was also banned from The Welch Fusilier for a year and told to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £35.