An ‘arrogant thug’ broke a man's jaw and called him a 'nonce' in an entirely unprovoked attack - grinning as he collapsed.

Reece Binks punched the man on September 23, 2022 as the victim was coming out of a pub in Eastleigh town centre where he was celebrating his eldest daughter's birthday, Southampton Crown Court was told.

The 63-year-old man had stepped outside for a cigarette and was talking to two women when the 27-year-old, accompanied by a friend, came over.

READ MORE: New Forest glamping site refused permission due to sex noise complaints

Having never met the man before, the court heard how Binks falsely labelled him a 'nonce' and a 'pervert' and punched him hard in the jaw, causing him to stagger and eventually collapse.

Prosecuting, Steven Molloy said: “The CCTV followed the defendant and his companion, and he appears to be revelling in what he has done. Imitating the blow to his friend and the aftermath in him staggering all over the road.

“He had a big grin and seemed pleased in what he had done.”

The man was rushed to hospital and a scan revealed he had a broken jaw.

He required surgery and metal plates and screws were used to restore his jaw. Despite this, the court heard, he continues to suffer from numbness in his chin.

In a statement read in court, the victim said the day of the attack went from one of celebration to ‘complete misery’.

He said since that day ‘everything has been destroyed’ and his confidence has taken a blow.

He added: “I hope I can go back to some normalcy, but the future is likely bleak. Only time will tell.”

A couple of weeks after the incident, Binks moved to Yorkshire where he was working on a farm - and was totally oblivious that police had launched an investigation into the attack.

A year later, in October 2023, the force labelled Binks a wanted man and issued a public appeal to find him.

After months of searching, the manhunt ended when Binks was found in February this year in the Nottingham area.

Defence barrister Andrew Houston said Binks, who pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, had grown up without a ‘normal family background’ which had an effect on him.

He said: “Having been taken from his parents at the age of 10, he didn’t get the benefit of a family background like normal children do.”

He added that drugs and alcohol have been a problem in his life.

Sentencing, Judge Henry called Binks, of Chaucer Road, Mexborough, an ‘arrogant thug’ who ‘likes violence and likes to show off’.

He added: “You decided you were going to behave like this. It was quite deliberate.”

Binks was sentenced to two years in prison and is subject to a five-year restraining order.