A MAN who was captured on CCTV glassing a stranger in the face was locked up for four years.

Kenneth Cooke, 63, was convicted after his trial in February of causing Anthony Pudney grievous bodily harm with intent when he lashed out at him with a glass while they were drinking at Grays Athletic Club.

Cooke, of Grove Road, Grays, initially claimed he wasn't at the club at the time of the attack, but later accepted he was present after he was shown CCTV footage of the incident on January 2, 2006.

At Basildon Crown Court yesterday Judge Christopher Mitchell told Cooke: "For reasons which were not clear at all you appear to have lost control of yourself.

"There is no suggestion whatsoever that Mr Pudney caused you to lose control of yourself.

"You smashed a glass in Mr Pudney's face and he suffered very nasty injuries to his face. All this was captured on CCTV."

Judge Mitchell said a doctor examined Cooke, but he could not find any medical reason to explain his behaviour.

He added: "I find this a rather puzzling and sad case, but never the less the jury found you were responsible for your actions and you deliberately smashed a glass in his face."