A MAN who caused a “freak” injury to his then partner’s eyelid has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

James Sullivan, 39, threw a cardboard box at the mother of his child at her Bournemouth flat in the early hours of the morning.

The unprovoked assault left the woman with a “full thickness” injury to her eyelid requiring 19 stitches.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard the victim was left with a scar and a high risk of continual eye watering as a result of the injury, which was believed to have been caused by the corner of the box.

Sullivan, of Stanley Road, Sutton, appeared in the dock for sentencing on February 7, having previously pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

Prosecuting, Stuart Ellacott said the victim and the defendant had been in a “somewhat on and off relationship” before breaking up in January last year.

At the time of the incident on August 4 they had got back together and Sullivan was living at the woman’s flat.

Mr Ellacott said the complainant described having at least seven ciders on the night in question and the defendant had smoked some cannabis.

The court heard in the early hours she wanted to “do some tidying up” and she asked Sullivan to assist but he was annoyed with her.

While in the process of sorting items she thought “she was struck in the face by Mr Sullivan”.

The prosecutor said the victim thought she had been punched but it was later believed he had thrown a box at her.

Mr Ellacott said looking at the injury itself “a corner of a box is perhaps more likely”.

“The defendant was arrested and accepted having been responsible for the injury in the way that he described,” said Mr Ellacott.

Mitigating, Richard Martin said it was a “freak” that the corner of the cardboard box hit the victim in the way it did.

He said his client no longer had contact with the victim and he had engaged with the probation service.

Sullivan had 43 previous convictions for 75 offences over a 25-year period although Judge Robert Pawson noted only one of these was for a matter of violence when the defendant received a caution for common assault 14 years ago.

Judge Pawson handed the offender a sentence of 20 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Sullivan must complete up to 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days and follow an overnight curfew from 7pm to 5am for five months.

The judge also issued a five-year restraining order.

If you are interested in court and crime news, stay up to date with all our latest updates in our dedicated Facebook group. To find out more and to join click here.