Michael John Ingram, 31, was drinking at a number of nightspots in Woden and Civic with his ex-partner and several of her friends, including the male victim, in November last year.

Ingram was asked to leave a Civic venue because he was being "unpleasant" to his former partner.

Later that night, he turned up at the victim's house to apologise to his ex.

The court heard that Ingram then realised she was having a sexual relationship with the victim.

He hit the man, headbutted him, and then repeatedly kicked him in the head while he was on the ground.

The bashing was eventually stopped by the victim's parents, who ran outside to help their son.

The police were called and Ingram fled the scene.

A short time later, he ran out in front of a police car and gave himself up.

The bashing left the victim with serious injuries, including fractures to his eye socket and cheekbone, as well as abrasions to other parts of his body.

Doctors were forced to put plates and screws in his face.

Ingram appeared in court earlier this year, and entered a guilty plea at an early stage.

He appeared in the ACT Supreme Court for sentencing on Thursday in front of Justice Hilary Penfold.

Justice Penfold said the attack had not been premeditated, but rather was a combination of "serious intoxication and jealousy".

She described his kicking of the victim's head as "cowardly".

The court heard that Ingram's offending appeared to arise from poor judgment due to intoxication.

But Justice Penfold acknowledged he had shown remorse, had managed to abstain from alcohol for an 18 month period, and was now only consuming about eight beers a week.

Ingram, the court heard, was from a "pro-social" background, had young children, and was employed in the public service.

Justice Penfold sentenced him to 18 months prison, but fully suspended it on the condition he enter a good behaviour order for two years.

She said that Ingram's circumstances, his remorse, and his pro-social background made full-time custody inappropriate, while his responsibilities in caring for his two young children also made periodic detention unsuitable.

He will have to serve 320 hours of community service.

Justice Penfold warned Ingram he was at a turning point, and told him he had the capacity to stay out of trouble and out of the courts if he controlled his alcohol use.

She said that if he did not, he would face "a far more bleak future" than someone in his situation should expect.