A TEENAGER kicked a man in the head while he lay on the ground following an argument over a blanket, a court heard.

Albert Smith was knocked unconscious during a fight between himself and Steven Fellows in Deansway, Worcester, last month.

Fellows, aged 19, who gave his address as the Maggs Day Centre, Deansway, Worcester, admitted a charge of affray when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday. He was sentenced to a total of 22 weeks in prison.

Owen Beale, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was not the one to start the fight. But at the point Mr Smith fell over, the violence used by the defendant can not be justified."

The court saw CCTV footage. It showed Mr Smith striking the first blow and then, following a scuffle, Mr Smith falling backwards on to the floor and Fellows kicking him repeatedly. Fellows walked away to call an ambulance. Mr Beale said: "The defendant said Mr Smith tripped and hit his head and he called an ambulance. But police got information from the CCTV that told a different story."

In mitigation Susie Duncan said Fellows did not wish to make any excuses for his actions and deeply regretted what he had done.

"There was an argument over a blanket," she said. "Mr Fellows wanted his blanket back for the evening. Mr Smith throws the first punch but then trips on to the floor and Mr Fellows kicks him while he is on the floor."

Miss Duncan said Fellows, who had not received any schooling since the age of 12 or 13, was making efforts to turn his life around and hoped to start college this year.

Fellows was sentenced to 22 weeks for the affray. He was given four weeks for an offence of the theft of eight cans of lager, eight weeks for assaulting a police officer by spitting in his face, and four weeks for the theft of vodka.

Fellows was also given an additional 30 days for breaching a licence. All will run concurrent.