A FATHER-TO-BE left his friend with a broken leg, dislocated foot and a five-inch gash to the head after attacking him outside a snooker club.

Brett French, 22, went to Rileys pool, snooker and poker club, in Market Pavement, Basildon, to confront Danny Welham after the pair fell out.

When Mr Welham came outside the club to speak to his friend, French lost his temper.

Mr Welham tried to calm him down, but French hit him.

The force of the blow knocked Mr Welham off his feet and he fell back, breaking his leg, dislocating his foot and smashing the back of his head on the pavement.

Prosecutor Philip Pearson told Basildon Magistrates' Court: "Mr Welham tried to calm him down, but Mr French punched him full on in the face.

"Mr Welham tried to get up but he couldn't feel his feet.

"The back of his head was bleeding and there was alot of blood coming from his nose.

"He could see his foot was in a different direction to his leg and he had fractured his leg and had dislocated his right foot."

French, of Woodstock Crescent, Laindon, was arrested by detectives and admitted striking out at his friend.

He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and wounding when he appeared at Basildon Magistrates' Court.

French, who is due to become a dad in five weeks' time, was released on unconditional bail.

He will reappear at Basildon Crown Court next month for sentence.

The attack was at about 10.30pm on April 25.