Ballarat Magistrates Court heard Richard Churchill assaulted the man outside the Bull and Mouth Hotel in Nolan St, Maryborough, on Friday night.

He was serving a two-week suspended jail sentence at the time.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Clint Prebble told the court Churchill eye-gouged the man before punching him in the face about 9.30pm.

Six hours earlier, Churchill had stolen a 120-piece tool set from a Maryborough shop.

Sen Const Prebble said that during his record of interview, Churchill admitted stealing the tool set but denied the assault.

Churchill, 30, of Margaret Ave, yesterday pleaded guilty to theft, intentionally causing injury and breaching a suspended sentence.

He also admitted three unrelated driving offences, committed in Maryborough on October 24 last year.

Defence lawyer Scott Belcher told the court his client had been out drinking with his partner to celebrate his 30th birthday on Friday night.

He said Churchill was trying to separate his partner and the victim, who were known to each other and involved in an argument, when the assault occurred.

Mr Belcher told the court his client had a history of psychiatric problems and was on medication for depression and anxiety.

Churchill had also been in custody since Saturday, he said.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan said that while Churchill had a lengthy history, he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He restored Churchill's suspended sentence and ordered he serve a further 14 days for the new offences.

Churchill was also fined $200 and disqualified from driving for 26 months.