A 39-YEAR-OLD fractured a man’s jaw in three places because he failed to shake his hand in a pub.

Michael Doran, of Cowley Road, East Oxford, hit John Hennigan at the Prince of Wales in Horspath Road, Cowley.

The father-of-two was given a suspended prison sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, having earlier admitted causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said Doran was at a leaving party in the pub on November 21 when the 45-year-old victim greeted people and failed to shake hands with the defendant.

Miss Olliver said it “became a bone of contention” and Doran followed Mr Hennigan outside and “shouted at him over this imagined slight”.

Mr Hennigan offered to shake hands with Doran but was hit in the face.

The victim needed surgery to insert plates and pins and was off work for several months, Miss Olliver said.

Lucy Tapper, defending, said her client, a self-employed carpenter, was “deeply ashamed” and had written a letter of apology to the victim.

Judge Geoffrey Breen gave Doran a six-month sentence suspended for a year, 100 hours’ unpaid work and ordered him to pay £1,500 compensation.