A DRUNKEN youth attacked a 15-year-old boy as he cycled near him in Kidderminster town centre, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Clifford Hodgkins punched the victim in the right eye and head and he needed hospital treatment for an inch-long cut.

A shop assistant who witnessed the unprovoked assault alerted police, who arrested Hodgkins nearby.

He shouted and swore at officers and refused to answer questions in an interview.

Hodgkins, aged 20, of Victoria Place, Kidderminster, admitted assault, causing actual bodily harm. He was given nine months' detention.

Prosecutor Graeme Simpson said Hodgkins was with two other youths on January 20 this year. He was staggering about and shouting loudly before launching three punches at the cyclist.

The defendant had previous convictions for violence, which were alcohol-fuelled, said Michael Grey, defending.

In his drunken state, he thought the schoolboy had ridden too close to him.

Judge Michael Mott said: "This was a nasty, violent offence to a young lad who was doing you absolutely no harm. It was the drink talking."

He warned Hodgkins that if he did not control his drinking he would waste his life and be in court time and time again.