A footballer who nearly blinded an opposition player has avoided jail and been ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.

William Seccombe admitted causing actual bodily harm to Ricky Spriggs at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday.

At the time of the incident, Seccombe was playing for Stowmarket Town away at Halstead Town in the Thurlow League First Division.

Halstead Town were celebrating a 3-2 win in the home changing room, when a window was smashed from the outside.

Several shards of glass flew into the dressing room and a number of them pierced the eye of then Humbugs player Mr Spriggs, who is from Tiptree.

An ambulance was called but took nearly 90 minutes to arrive.

During this time, teammates and first aiders had to hold Mr Sprigg’s eye open to stop him blinking and causing irreparable damage to his vision. Without their intervention, it is possible he could have lost his sight in one eye.

He eventually required six stitches at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.

Following the incident on April 16, 2016, police were called.

Seccombe, of Kenton Road, Debenham, was later charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

However at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, the prosecution offered no evidence to this charge.

Seccombe admitted a separate charge of actual bodily harm.

Judge David Turner sentenced him to a 12 month community order requiring him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay court costs of £250.

Mr Spriggs works as a PE teacher at Ravens Academy, Clacton.