A MAN headbutted a woman he fancied in the face after seeing her kissing one of his friends.

David Allan carried out the assault to injury during a house party after meeting her during a night out.

A boozed-up Allan, 41, called his pal a 'snake' before smashing his forehead into the woman, Greenock Sheriff Court was told.

The victim — who was left cut, badly swollen and bruised — had to stay off work until her 'very visible' injuries healed.

Prosecutor David Glancy said: "The complainer was on a night out with friends and met with a number of males, one of whom is the accused.

"She went back to a house with other people in the group.

"The complainer only had interest in the accused as a friend and kissed one of his friends.

"It was against this background that the accused butted her on the face.

"The man she had been friendly with intervened on her behalf and brought matters to a conclusion.

"Having to receive hospital treatment was particularly embarrassing for her because she works locally."

Allan, of Banff Road in Greenock, committed the offence within a property on the town's Angus Road on March 12 last year.

He had also been charged with shouting, swearing and brandishing a knife but his not guilty plea to this allegation was accepted following discussion between defence lawyer Gerry Keenan and the Crown.

Mr Keenan said: "It is acknowledged by Mr Allan that this was shameful behaviour for a mature man.

"He doesn't seek to excuse it.

"He is ashamed.

"He clearly took too much drink and this incident can be viewed as uncharacteristic."

Sheriff Thomas Ward told Allan: "You are in grave risk of going to jail for headbutting someone in the face.

"However, you have no history of violence and only that persuades me to pursue another option."

Allan has been ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work within six months.