WA man avoids jail for one-punch attack

A young man who was "looking for a fight" when he punched a stranger outside a West Australian nightclub has been spared an immediate term of imprisonment.

Timothy Elijah Thorne, 20, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Simeon Dunbar by breaking his jaw in Albany, in the state's south, in November last year.

Thorne was drunk and shirtless when he approached Mr Dunbar and another man who were smoking, and "without warning" punched the victim, the WA District Court heard on Friday.

Mr Dunbar required surgery and Judge Mark Herron said the victim must have been in pain and struggled to eat for some time.

"He didn't know you. He didn't do anything to provoke you punching him," Judge Herron said.

"You were looking for trouble, you were seeking to provoke a fight."

Judge Herron noted Thorne had a dysfunctional background and a criminal record for offences such as stealing.

He accepted Thorne was remorseful and also took into consideration his youth and steps taken towards rehabilitation.

Thorne was sentenced to 14 months in jail, wholly suspended with conditions.

Judge Herron warned Thorne he had to turn his life around with the support of his family.

"I don't want to have to send you to prison," he said.

"I'm trying to do this for your benefit."