TWO men have been jailed at Worcester Crown Court for a street attack during the early hours on an innocent man in Redditch.

Darren Stoddard had stopped outside the A-Z newsagents in Ipsley Street when he was set upon by two men who had been drinking.

Mr Stoddard was punched in the face and then kicked as he lay on the ground, said Christopher Lester, prosecuting. The court was able to watch the attack which had been filmed on CCTV.

Ian Ecclestone, aged 31, of Drayton Close, Redditch, and Daniel Blair, 26, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Blair, currently serving a prison sentence, was jailed for 18 months. Ecclestone was sentenced to 15 months.

Judge Robert Juckes QC, who ordered Blair to start serving his sentence when his present one expired, ordered both men to pay a £120 victim impact surcharge.

Mr Lester said the attack took place early on February 8 this year. A group of youths had been shouting but Mr Stoddard had not been involved with them. He was surprised when the defendants suddenly punched him in the face.

He was treated in hospital for cuts and bruises. One of his teeth was chipped and the incident left him taking painkillers and being reluctant to go out at night.

Judith Kenney, for Blair, said he had been shocked when he saw the incident on CCTV. His behaviour was due to drink but he had been trying to give up and had been supported by his family.

Diljit Bachada said Ecclestone agreed that the attack had been a joint enterprise. He had been invited out for a drink and was very drunk when Mr Stoddard was confronted.

Although he had a lengthy criminal record, he was in a £260-a-week job and had children aged eight and two.