A CAGE FIGHTER has been jailed after an unprovoked attack that left his victim with a bleed on his brain.

Mixed martial artist Aftab Miah, 37, of Sherbourne Close in Hove, has been jailed for 21 months after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

On May 21, Miah had been seen arguing with Kit Bruce at Pascal's Bar, on Second Avenue, Hove, at about 11pm.

The trained fighter punched the 24-year-old in the face before both men were asked to leave the premises.

The Argus: Aftab Miah has been jailed for an unprovoked attack in Hove

The victim and his friends then went to another bar across the street and Miah left the area.

However, as Mr Bruce was walking along the Second Avenue about an hour later, a car pulled up alongside him and Miah got out from the passenger seat.

He attacked Mr Bruce who fell backwards and hit his head on the floor, suffering a fractured skull that led to a bleed on his brain.

Detective Police Constable James Botting said: “This was a callous, unprovoked attack in which Aftab Miah left his victim lying in the street with serious injuries.

“Miah has a number of previous convictions for violent crimes and this custodial sentence has taken a violent offender off our streets.

The Argus: Picture credit: FusionFightsPicture credit: FusionFights

“Violence of any kind has no place in our city and we will continue working to tackle violent behaviour through enforcement and alongside our partner agencies to try to steer people away from violence.”

The attack was captured on CCTV and Miah was arrested the following day after being identified by witnesses.

Four out of the five witnesses were also able to positively identify him from a line-up.

Miah was ordered to pay a £190 victim surcharge in addition to his custodial sentence at a Lewes Crown Court hearing on July 27.

Pascal's bar, where the initial argument broke out, has since lost its licence to sell alcohol.

As well as the violent incident which started on the premises, traces of drugs were also found in the toilets.

A council licensing panel said that it was revoking the licence for the bistro bar after hearing “overwhelming” evidence about the problems.

The panel was also told about persistent breaches of Covid regulations and the conditions attached to the premises licence.

The licensing panel gave three reasons for revoking the drinks licence which included the May incident, as well as drug-taking and breaches of other licensing rules.