POLICE were alerted to a revenge attack happening "under their noses" outside a nightclub because the sound of the violence was so loud, Exeter Crown Court has heard.

James Stokes, 28, of Lyndhurst Road, Exmouth, was sentenced to a year's community order.

He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work in the community, by the court yesterday.

He had been convicted of actual bodily harm, involving breaking another man's tooth, in an incident outside the Q Club in Manchester Street, Exmouth, on July 18.

Judge Barry Cotter QC said: "This offence was committed under police officers' noses.

"It was one single punch but was a serious offence."

Prosecutor Ann Hampshire said: "Police were outside the club in the early hours of the morning.

"They saw the defendant stride across to the victim and punch him once in the face.

"They heard a smacking sound, above the noise of the crowd.

"The victim's head was knocked backwards, hitting the wall behind him and he fell, stumbling to the floor."

Peter Seigne, in mitigation, said that the defendant was a hard-working engineer who had momentarily lost his temper.

Judge Cotter said that he was going to make Stokes pay £100 compensation to his victim.

He also ordered Stokes to pay £340 costs.