A MAN who kicked a complete stranger in an unprovoked attack has avoided jail.

Alan Horsfall, aged 21, of Elmley Close, Malvern, was with two friends when the assault on Joseph Wood took place in July last year.

Horsfall, who had denied the offence, which took place in Barnards Green Road, Malvern, changed his plea to guilty at a pre-trial review.

On Wednesday, April 18, he was sentenced for the offence, which left his victim with bruising to his back, shoulders and head.

Marie Watton, prosecuting, said: "Mr Wood was walking back from his place of work in Belle Vue Terrace when he saw a car driving towards him. The car went up to the roundabout, turned around and drove back towards him.It proceeded to slowly follow him, before it stopped."

Miss Watton said Mr Wood told his pursuers to go away, to which he heard one of them say: "Go on, get out."

At first Stuart Hughes, aged 21, of Buckingham Close, Malvern, got out, approached Mr Wood and punched him. Daniel Walker, aged 18, of Balmoral Close, Malvern, and Horsfall then followed. All three kicked Mr Wood as he lay on the floor.

Mark Lister, defending, said: "Mr Horsfall has been very worried about this and concerned about the effect on his employment and his standing in the community.

"This is an isolated incident. It was a stupid action of which he is fully ashamed."

Magistrates ordered Hors-fall to do 60 hours of unpaid work under probation service supervision, and to pay £150 compensation and £80 court costs.

Two days before the physical assault on the victim, Walker and Hughes had again followed him home from work. In this incident, in which Horsfall was not involved, they shouted a string of homophobic insults at Mr Wood, who is not gay.

On Monday, March 26, the pair were sentenced for both attacks. Walker received a 12-month community order, and Daniels was given a suspended youth offending sentence for 12 months.

Both were ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Wood.