A BUILDING worker who caused a horrific eye injury by stamping on his cousin's face in a Worcester club has been jailed for six years.

Stephen Locke suffered a ruptured left eyeball after Richard Calder knocked him to the floor in Bossa Nova.

The iris and lens shot out of the eye leaving the victim with blurred vision and possible blindness in the future, said prosecutor Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting.

Calder, who had a history of violence, reacted in fury after claiming Mr Locke made a derogatory comment about his father as they talked at a bar.

The defendant had drunk a vast quantity of alcohol and taken cocaine, Worcester Crown Court heard yesterday.

Calder, aged 33, of Eddy Road, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Judge John Cavell described the crime as "unprovoked and serious violence in a public place".

In 2000 Calder was convicted of violent disorder after a man was attacked with bar stools at a Kidderminster pub and left with numerous injuries.

At the age of 13 he was convicted of robbery and in 1991 went to a local school where he attacked a man during the lunch break.

Seven years later Calder assaulted an off-duty police officer in a takeaway restaurant. However, the judge said he only "came close" to presenting a serious danger to the public under legal guidelines, for which an indeterminate sentence could be passed.

Mr Cartwright said Calder met Mr Locke at the club for the first time on March 3 last year.

A doctor's report showed the injured eye was left with no focusing ability and increased pressure could lead to glaucoma.

An "extremely worrying" factor was also the possibility of inflammation passing to the good eye.

Mr Locke found bright light troublesome and needed to wear sungasses constantly.

He was unable to judge short distances needed for such tasks as pouring tea. In December last year his retina became detached and he needed a second operation.

The attack had also knocked his confidence and he felt vulnerable going out on social occasions.

Jason Aris, defending, said Calder did not appreciate the consequences of his actions because of the combination of drink and drugs he had consumed.

The jail sentence would impact on his children and those of his partner for whom he played a significant role.