A CCTV camera captured a man beating a clubber as he lay unconscious on the floor.
David Greig, of Queen Street, Montrose, appeared at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday after the brutal assault on March 31.
The 30-year-old admitted assaulting a man at the Yard nightclub in Montrose by lunging at him, struggling with him and repeatedly punching his face, rendering him unconscious.
The court heard both men were considerably under the influence of alcohol at the time of the attack.
Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson said a group of people on the dance floor suddenly fell on to the stage.
She added: “CCTV showed the complainer initially seemed to be trying to fend off the attack. His arms then go limp and the assault continued at that stage.”
The victim had severe bruising and swelling round his left eye and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Lynne Sturrock, defending, said: He doesn’t know the complainer but he does express his apologies to him.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray ordered Greig to carry out a six-month community payback order involving 120 hours of unpaid work.
