That's the message Magistrate Michael O'Brien gave a Tweed Heads man who glassed another person at a pub in Harden last year.

Richard Warren Clark, 29, had a 12 months jail sentence suspended at Young Local Court on May 21.

He was charged with reckless wounding following police inquiries into the the incident which had occurred at a Harden hotel about 10.30pm on October 12.

When the matters against Clark were before the court last month the court heard that the victim received superficial cuts to their mouth.

"The conduct of the accused was unprovoked and completely unacceptable," Magistrate Michael O'Brien said.

"This had life-threatening consequences for the victim, whatever it was, this had potential to seriously injure, disfigure or end the life of the victim."

On behalf of Clark, his solicitor told the court that it was his client's first ever time before a court.

The solicitor said "there had been things said" and Clark is "devastated by what happened and the potential danger" of the offence.

"It's often the bigger man who walks away," Magistrate Michael O'Brien said.

Police facts presented to the court say Clark twice punched the man while holding a schooner glass.

Clark later told police that he "blacked out" and, regarding details of the incident, had been "filled in by mates".

"Many people who have never offended before, who have families to support, go to prison," Mr O'Brien said.

"It beggars belief you put yourself in this position."

Conditions to abstain from drugs and alcohol were made in the intensive corrections order.