AN alcoholic hit a man walking home in Pershore before apologising and then punching him again, attacking another passer-by shortly afterwards.

Thirty-three-year-old Peter Swinbourne punched Peter Thoms in the face in an unprovoked attack as he was walking home with his partner through the town, Worcester magistrates heard on Thursday.

The court heard how Swinbourne then apologised to the man but attacked him again, knocking him to the floor.

Prosecuting, Emma Lile said Swinbourne, a resident at the YMCA in Worcester's Henwick Road, then got involved in an argument with Keith Boulton, who witnessed the attack, kicking and spitting at him.

Swinbourne appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court where he admitted four counts of common assault.

Ms Lile also told the court Swinbourne had attacked two other men in separate incidents.

The first offence happened at McDonald's in The Cross, Worcester, when Swinbourne approached a customer, saying 'do you remember me from when you lived in Evesham and Pershore?'

Ms Lile said: "The man said he'd never lived in either place before but was punched in the cheek by Swinbourne, who then lurked outside the premises making threats and hand gestures as if to imitate using a gun."

Ms Lile said Swinbourne then went back into McDonald's and attacked him again.

And the court was told how, on another occasion, he hit a staff member at Five Ways Hotel in Worcester's Angel Place after he got into a row with a DJ and was asked to calm down.

In mitigation, Dawn Cooper said Swinbourne had a deeply entrenched addiction to alcohol and had sent in a letter of apology to the court with regards the offences.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, February 2 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Swinbourne was granted conditional bail.