A VIOLENT thug who launched an unprovoked attack on a young man, has been jailed for 12-months.
James Corbett, who has previous convictions for violence, attacked Mark Cunningham in St Helens town centre after accusing him and friends of involvement in an alleged previous incident.
Twenty-five-year-old Corbett, of Sextant Close, Runcorn, punched Mr Cunningham several times in the face and then kicked him and as he crouched over, Corbett kneed him in the face. During the attack the victim made no attempt to defend himself, said Miss Heather Belbin, prosecuting.
Mr Cunningham, who works as a chef, suffered chipped and displaced teeth, a black eye, split lip and facial bruising.
A security guard in a building near the scene in Church Square spotted the incident on CCTV and called the police.
Officers arrived and after seeing the film arrested Corbett.
When interviewed, he admitted responsibility and expressed regret for his actions which occurred after he had been drinking, the court heard.
Corbett pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.
Jailing Corbett at Liverpool Crown Court, Recorder Alan Conrad, QC, said: 'When sober you can be a decent man but when in drink you are a violent thug.
'You have previous convictions for assault and a long history of public disorder offences.'
