A Manchester City fan jailed for throwing a two pence coin at Liverpool supporters, hitting one of them in the eye, has been set free for Christmas by top judges.

Teaching assistant George Ashworth, 23, of Chapel Walk, Stalybridge, attended the 1-1 draw between Man City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on March 19.

When Liverpool scored a penalty in the second half, there were celebrations in the away end, Mr Justice Nicol told London’s Appeal Court.

Boozed-up Ashworth was seen on CCTV footage to bend down and then stand up and throw an object.

The coin hit Liverpool fan Saleem Akhtar in his left eye and he fell to the ground before seeking help from stewards.

The sharpness of vision in the affected eye was reduced by about 50%.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Akhtar described how he had suffered nightmares and flashbacks and found nighttime driving difficult.

Ashworth admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and was locked up for 20 months at Manchester Crown Court on September 29.

He was also handed a six-year football banning order.

Manchester City fan George Ashworth, 23, who injured a Liverpool fan with a coin

A probation officer’s report said alcohol played a “significant factor” in his “out of character” crime.

Ashworth, who “felt distraught for the injury he had caused”, was an “outstanding young man”, said the judge who jailed him.

A teaching assistant for children with special educational needs, he also raised money for charity.

But there was a “darker side” to his character which led him to act “without common sense when he threw that missile into a group of opposing football supporters causing injury to a wholly innocent man.”

Pointing to his “powerful personal mitigation”, Patrick Williamson, for Ashworth, argued that his jail term was too tough and should be suspended.

He said: “This was a very short-lived incident with a significant degree of remorse and a description of feeling distraught at the effect of his behaviour.

“The court may well consider the suspension of the sentence.”

Mr Justice Nicol, sitting with Judge Rupert Mayo, said: “We think there is force in Mr Williamson’s submission.

“Significant as the injury was to Mr Akhtar, it could not be described as greater harm.

“In our view the judge somewhat over-stated the seriousness of the offence.”

Mr Justice Nicol said Ashworth had a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation” and had already been in custody for 10 weeks.

He added: “In our view, the right course would be to allow the appeal against sentence, quash the sentence imposed by the judge and substitute a sentence of 12 months, suspended for two years.”

The football banning order was also reduced to five years.