A MAN was left with serious injuries to his face after being attacked in a bar, a court heard.

Jake Sayer had been out drinking in Wantage town centre with friends when they decided to go the Cellar Bar in Market Place at about 9pm.

On Tuesday, Oxford Crown Court heard how Mr Sayer had been sitting near Samuel Lambeth, who leaned over and said he was bipolar.

Prosecutor Kelly Brocklehurst said Mr Sayer was dismissive of 24-year-old Lambeth's comments and continued to talk to his friends.

But when Lambeth, of Charlton Road, Wantage, got a similar reaction when he repeated the statement he punched Mr Sayer, the court heard.

Mr Brocklehurst added: "This defendant punched Mr Sayer, firstly to the mouth, then further strikes to the right eye and more punches landed around the head area.

"The most significant injuries were four stitches to the lip and a broken nose that had to have surgery under anaesthetic."

Judge Zoe Smith adjourned the case for sentence until May, but warned Lambeth – who pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm – could be jailed for the attack.

She said: "This was a serious injury that this man had and on the face of it custody is the appropriate sentence."