A DUDLEY man who knocked a man out with a punch to the head after an "unpleasant" incident at the Rock Zombie Bar has been ordered to pay his victim £500.

Judge Michael Challinor told John Wilkes, aged 32, it was a serious offence because rendering someone unconscious with a blow could lead to all sorts of medical problems in the future.

The judge ruled he was able to avoid sending the father-of-two into custody because he had managed to stay out of trouble with the police since 2006 and he had also lost his job as a result of the assault.

David Lees, prosecuting, stressed Wilkes had not been involved in the previous incident at the nightspot but he had later gone over to a group of men and punched the victim to the ground.

The man suffered a dislocated right shoulder, a swollen ankle and abrasions to the side of his head but it was accepted Wilkes had thrown just the one blow.

Wilkes, of Elm Road, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, his barrister Charnjit Jutla said he was full of remorse for his actions.

He told Wolverhampton Crown Court Wilkes had demonstrated a degree of maturity and responsibility after his earlier encounters with the police.

Mr Jutla said Wilkes, who had now received a new offer of employment, had been out with colleagues who went on to the nightspot.

He had then made the decision to return home but seeing there were problems between his friends and another party he went over and threw the punch.