A HORRIFIED witness watched in terror as a drunken thug, with a history of violence, brutally attacked another man in the street.
The "sustained" and "relentless" revenge beating left the victim powerless to defend himself as he lay slumped on the ground while vicious punches rained down, a court heard.
Peter Fairbanks, 38, of Beechwood Avenue, Grimsby, admitted assaulting Andrew Buley, causing actual bodily harm, on May 25.
Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Fairbanks had already been drinking heavily at a house in Beechwood Avenue when Mr Buley arrived to visit a friend.
Fairbanks became aggressive, his behaviour became erratic and his attitude changed. He accused Mr Buley of previously branding him a "nonce".
Mr Buley left the house but Fairbanks later attacked him in a car park area. The attack was "sustained" and "relentless" and Fairbanks also screamed abuse at him.
Mr Buley got to his feet, but Fairbanks knocked him down again and rained more blows on him while he was helpless on the ground.
There was blood on Mr Buley's face and he was powerless to defend himself, said Mr Evans. A horrified witness believed Mr Buley had been knocked unconscious.
His head was seen hitting the ground after Fairbanks punched him. He lost two teeth in the attack as well as suffering bruises, grazes and cuts around his eyes.
Fairbanks had convictions for 24 previous offences, including for assault, burglary and dishonesty matters. He had been jailed for four-and-a-half years at the same court in 1998 for wounding with intent.
Andrew Howarth, mitigating, said Fairbanks claimed he could not remember the incident. It was a "sustained, repeated assault" but, although Fairbanks had a bad record, he had been out of trouble since 2004.
Judge David Tremberg told Fairbanks: "You set about him in what can only be described as a sustained attack and you caused him injuries that were quite serious.
"There is a real risk that serious injury, sometimes fatal injury, can result. You caused him more harm than was necessary and you caused that harm when the complainant was vulnerable because he was prone on the ground."
Fairbanks had shown little remorse and originally denied the offence, said Judge Tremberg.
"There really is no alternative but immediate custody," he said.
Fairbanks was jailed for a year.
