A FITNESS instructor who was caught on camera "celebrating" with friends after smashing a beer glass in another man's face has been jailed for three years.

Robert Wallace, 27, admitted assaulting Emelyn Woods, causing him actual bodily harm, in Westbourne on July 12 last year.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Angela England said Wallace had gone on the run following the incident and was arrested on the Isle of Man.

The court heard how Wallace had "borne a grudge" against Mr Woods since they had served time together at Dorchester prison. Wallace was sitting outside a pub drinking when he spotted Mr Woods.

"On CCTV Mr Wallace is seen to run at some speed after Mr Woods with a glass in his hand," said Miss England. "He hit him in the side of the head, causing facial injuries. Mr Wallace walked away and seemed to re-enact the attack twice to his friends."

In his defence, the court heard that Wallace had been attacked by Mr Woods at Dorchester prison.

He now regretted the glassing incident, accepting that he appeared on film to be celebrating with friends.

The court was told that Wallace was determined to change his criminal ways and had gone to the Isle of Man "to bury his head in the sand and try and change his life".

Wallace also admitted a public order offence on July 12 2007 and failing to answer bail.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC described the assault as "a particularly serious offence" and told Wallace: "It may well be that you had a grudge against Mr Woods but what you did was premeditated and involved the use of a weapon.

DC Steven May, of Bourne-mouth CID, said: "He targetted an acquaintance and carried out his cowardly attack from behind, leaving his victim scarred for life. This sentence befits his crime."