A MAN has been told to pay his victim’s £4,000 dental bill after an attack in Colchester town centre.

George Curtis had one tooth knocked out, another cracked and a third chipped when he was pushed over, on December 23 last year, by plumber Ross Williams.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard he was knocked unconscious at about 11.30pm and still did not remember what had happened.

He is due to undergo dental surgery on March 9.

The court was told police saw Williams, 31, of Crowhurst Road, Colchester, shove Mr Curtis.

Emma Nash, prosecuting, said: “He was seen to go horizontal in the air and land on his face in the road.”

Miss Nash said Williams was seen to go up behind Mr Curtis and push him with both hands.

He claimed it was a shoulder barge when police spoke to him later.

He also claimed he had seen Mr Curtis push his friend and so had run after him and pushed him.

He said Mr Curtis fell on his face because he was so drunk.

Williams told officers he had taken two lines of cocaine earlier in the evening. He regretted what he had done, the court heard.

Williams admitted causing Mr Curtis actual bodily harm.

Recorder Giles Eyre said the most important thing was to ensure Williams paid to put right the damage he did in the attack.

He ordered him to pay Mr Curtis £4,000 compensation, also giving the assailant a two-year community order and an order to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

As well as the assault, Williams admitted possessing 1.5gs of cocaine. For this, he was fined £250, with £15 costs.

His lawyer, Evelyn Hicks, said Williams had intended to speak to Mr Curtis about his behaviour.

He added: “He had no intention to harm anybody.

“Unfortunately, because the victim was unsteady on his feet and had no opportunity to put his arms out, he fell to the ground.”

It was a foolish, impulsive act and Williams had apologised to the family personally, she added.

The judge told Williams his judgement was affected because he had been drinking and taking cocaine.

He added: “It’s a great pity as a result of what you had consumed that night, you made such a misjudged act.”