A one legged metal fan, who beat up another rocker at Alice Cooper concert at Southampton Guildhall, was today spared an immediate prison sentence.

Jurors heard how Andrew Miller, 46, sat bare chested and removed his artificial leg emblazoned with the motif of the music legend in the front row of the balcony.

But violence flared during the support act when John Lynch complained he was encroaching on his seat as they sat next to each other. Fearing trouble might erupt, his wife suggested they should leave but Miller grabbed him and punched him several times on the head and face.

The city crown court was told Mr Lynch was taken to hospital suffering from a cut wrist and facial bruising.

Miller, of Southbourne, West Sussex, denied causing actual bodily harm, claiming he was in considerable pain and removed his artificial leg, putting the stump and his other leg on the balcony to avoid suffering a thrombosis.

He maintained he had only punched Mr Lynch because he feared he would fall over the balcony.

Imposing a 36 weeks suspended sentence coupled with 18 months supervision because of his epilepsy, Judge John Boggis QC today told him: "It is perfectly clear you were making an exhibition and making a nuisance of yourself. You took your prosthetic leg off and were waving it at those behind you. You were spreading yourself around."

Miller was also told to observe a three month curfew and pay £250 compensation whose evening, said the judge, had been "ruined."