A MAN who was bottled at a family birthday party had to pay his attacker £80 compensation.

Antony Rollinson, 49, suffered cuts to his head after he started a fight with pal Bradley Gipson, at the Bar Plazma, in Wickford High Street.

Both men were caught on CCTV brawling on the floor of the club as other partygoers looked on.

Gipson, of Deirdre Avenue, Wickford, smashed a bottle over Rollinson’s head and kicked him in the chest three times.

Rollinson admitted one count of common assault for starting the fight when he appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

He was given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay Gipson £80 compensation.

Meanwhile Gipson, 30, admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, ordered to pay £340 court costs and to pay Rollinson £350 compensation.

The fracas broke out at about 10.50pm on April 4 as the pair were enjoying a family party.

In CCTV shown at Basildon Crown Court, Rollinson is seen speaking to Gipson who holds his hands in the air.

Rollinson then punches Gipson, causing him to fall back on to a table.

The pair grapple with each other before Gipson hits Rollinson with the bottle and then kicks him while he is on the ground.

Gipson told the court he did not know why the fight started, but that the pair had been drinking.

Sentencing Gipson, Recorder Rex Bryan said: “You were charged with actual bodily harm because you picked up a bottle and used it on another.

“I take into account your good character and it’s quite clear you were attacked first by Mr Rollinson.

“That shows there was a high degree of provocation, but you should not have used a weapon in your response.”