THUGS LAUNCH UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON PLASTERER

Four drunken hoodlums unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks on plasterer Cerry Gibson as they passed him in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, on October 9.

Having battered him to the ground, the Hastings foursome continued their ruthless onslaught on the defenceless man.

In a CCTV video of the attack one of the yobs, 19-year-old Terence Geraghty, of Cornwallis Street, is seen to jump up and down on Mr Gibson's head. "How the victim is not dead I don't know," said DC Bill Simons, the officer in charge of the case.

"This was a shockingly violent and very serious incident. Anyone who sees the video can only be appalled. The victim and his friend were just minding their own business, eating a bag of chips, when these boys attacked.

"I don't take any joy in seeing young men locked up, but this was a very serious attack and should not go unpunished."

At Eastbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, Geraghty and his fellow attackers - Wayne Fryer, 21, of Castle Gardens, Ian Hassan, 18, of Jenners Lane, and Daniel Willis, 19, of Morlas Place - pleaded guilty to assault. All four now face the prospect of jail.

The court heard they were in Eastbourne on a night out. Walking in Terminus Road one member of the group believed Mr Gibson said something about him as they passed.

In a matter of seconds, the brutal four-handed assault was underway.

When the attack finished, Mr Gibson was left lying unconscious on the pavement.

As they walked away from the scene, straight into the arms of police officers, one of the gang dealt a final kicking blow to the victim's head.

He was taken by ambulance to Eastbourne DGH to be treated for cuts, bruises, bumps to his head and a severe headache.

In court, prosecutor John Kerr said: "This was a very aggressive and totally unprovoked attack involving numerous kicks to the head while the aggrieved was on the floor."

Mr Gibson was assaulted last year in a similar incident.

He had been walking through the town centre, minding his own business, when he was set upon and seriously hurt.

In January he underwent surgery to correct an injury to his eye.

"Drink was definitely involved in this case, but we simply will not tolerate violence like that in the town centre," said DC Simons.

"The two victims had only had two pints each that night. They're hardworking lads with good jobs who just wanted a quiet drink."

Angela Duran, representing Geraghty, said: "The attack looks appalling on the video. Happily, Mr Gibson does not appear to have suffered any permanent damage. Geraghty feels great remorse for his actions."

The court also heard Fryer, 21, has a new-born baby.

Magistrates felt their own sentencing powers, which are restricted to six months' imprisonment or 5,000 fine, were not sufficient to deal with the foursome.

They were bailed and their case committed to Lewes Crown Court for sentencing.