The victim, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday, was concussed in the attack and lost a small piece of flesh from his ear.
Dunedin scaffolder Cameron Nicholas Couch pleaded guilty to injuring with intent to injure, the third time he had come before the court for violence since 2019.
His most recent attack took place on November 29 last year following a day at the Cromwell races.
A husband and wife were standing outside their home in Waenga Dr, concerned a nearby party was getting out of hand.
Couch, who had not attended the gathering, happened to be walking past with friends.
Counsel Andrew Dawson said the meeting was an unfortunate coincidence.
Couch and the man initially exchanged pleasantries but "without warning or provocation" the defendant became aggressive.
His mates urged him to leave but he refused to back down.
Fearing an attack, the victim knocked a glass bottle from Couch’s grasp but he was unaware the defendant was holding a second, unopened pre-mixed bourbon and cola.
He swung the full bottle, connecting with the man’s left temple and narrowly missing his eye, with such force that it shattered on impact.
Couch ran away while the victim sought medical attention for lacerations to his face and ear.
In a statement written in April, the man said he was still unable to sleep on his left side because of the pain to his ear.
His concussion had resulted in light sensitivity and disrupted sleep, which had in turn caused him to become exhausted and short-tempered.
The blow had had an impact on the victim’s memory and he now struggled to articulate himself, the court heard.
The man called the incident "such an unnecessary and stupid thing" and said his children had been scared.
Mr Dawson said the common factor to all Couch’s offending was alcohol, an issue he was keen to address.
As well as the home-detention term, Judge David Robinson ordered he pay the victim $3000 and complete 100 hours’ community work.
That sentence would be added to 17 hours Couch had remaining from a previous sentence.
While on home detention, he was barred from using alcohol or drugs.
