A man was scarred for life after being hit in the face with a champagne bottle and headbutted, a court heard.

As the bottle shattered on impact, Maurice Cauldwell was left with a jagged wound above and below his left eye and running down to the bridge of his nose.

He also suffered a cross-shaped wound to his forehead and both injuries needed specialist treatment, Hove Crown Court heard on Friday.

Frank McDonald, 23, of no fixed address, denies a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Marcus Fletcher, prosecuting, said Mr Cauldwell had left a Chinese restaurant in Preston Street, Brighton, and was on his way to a night club with two friends when the attack happened on January 15.

The group was approached by McDonald and asked for a cigarette. As one was being rolled for him, McDonald struck Mr Cauldwell in the face with the heavy bottle.

He ran off and was followed into a kebab shop by his victim with blood pouring from his wounds. He then headbutted Mr Cauldwell three times in the face.

Mr Fletcher said: "When interviewed by police, he said he challenged Mr Cauldwell after he had kissed a girl he was with on the lips.

"He said Mr Cauldwell had pushed and punched him and he forgot he had the bottle in his hand when he went to push him away.

"He said he had defended himself in the kebab shop by using his head to push Mr Cauldwell away.

"The Crown contends if you hit someone in the face with a champagne bottle, you know you are likely to cause them serious injury because it is much heavier than a wine or beer bottle."

Mr Cauldwell said he had chatted to the girl with McDonald while the cigarette was rolled and while his other friend used a nearby cash machine.

He said: "As I turned to leave, I raised my arm to wave goodbye and said 'See you' to her. Nobody touched her. I felt something hit me in the face and then felt and tasted blood in my eyes and mouth.

"I was stunned, shocked and appalled and I nearly went unconscious. The blow knocked my head back and the next day my neck was sore."

Mr Cauldwell said he followed McDonald to the kebab shop where he found him crouched down and hiding behind the counter.

He got hold of his clothes to try to restrain him and was head-butted three times in the face.

The trial continues.