CONSTRUCTION worker Shane Smith was so drunk that he could not remember head-butting a girl he hardly knew at a disco.

Smith, 32, of Waiblingen Way, Devizes, pleaded guilty to assaulting Donna Edwards at the disco in the town's Corn Exchange on June 28. He also admitted possessing a small quantity of cannabis resin.

His case was adjourned for reports and Smith appeared before Kennet magistrates on Tuesday for sentence.

Becky Abbott, prosecuting, told the court that Ms Edwards had been chatting with friends at the disco, one of whom was Smith's partner.

Smith began to quarrel with his girlfriend and was unsteady on his feet.

Then, without provocation, he head-butted Ms Edwards, giving her a black eye and causing her bruising and a headache.

Smith, who was thrown out of the disco, was then arrested by police and found in possession of 2.9 grams of brown vegetable matter, later identified as cannabis resin.

He told police that he had drunk copious amounts of alcohol and couldn't remember head-butting anyone.

Andrew Watts-Jones, defending, said Smith had been extremely co-operative with the police and very remorseful about his actions.

Mr Watts-Jones said: "He is extremely upset with himself that he assaulted a young lady. It is totally down to alcohol and when he last appeared in court he admitted he really needs some help."

Magistrates sentenced Smith to 18 months' community rehabilitation.

During that time, he will have to take part in the Probation Service's Think First programme and accept alcohol counselling.

He was also ordered to pay his victim £100 compensation and fined £50 for possession of a class B drug.