A thug who stabbed a homeless man in the head with a glass bottle on a busy high street has been jailed.

Shaun Brown, 36, struck the 43-year-old man twice over the head which caused the glass bottle to smash in the attack on a busy Saturday afternoon in Worthing last year.

Brown then used the broken neck of the bottle to stab the man, who was sitting outside a supermarket, in the side of head, leaving him with severe head and facial injuries which required emergency surgery.

Brown, unemployed, of Brighton Road, Worthing, was tackled by shoppers and held until police arrived on October 22.

He has been jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to the unprovoked attack in Montague Street.

Investigating officer, detective constable Lynnette Atkins, said: “This was a shocking attack on a homeless man in the centre of town on a busy Saturday afternoon, and was witnessed by many.

"Thankfully, the defendant was swiftly detained by a number of quick-thinking members of public, and I’d like to thank them for their actions.

“I’d like to reassure the public that this sort of behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated, and we will do everything within our powers to deal with offenders robustly and bring them to justice.

The Argus: Police outside Marks and Spencer in Worthing last OctoberPolice outside Marks and Spencer in Worthing last October (Image: The Argus)

“I’d also urge the community to continue to report any incidents to us to allow us to respond accordingly.”

He was arrested and charged with committing grievous bodily harm, which he pleaded guilty to, and was sentenced to seven years – consisting of four years’ imprisonment and three years on licence – at Lewes Crown Court in Lewes High Street on January 9.

A large emergency services response could be seen in Worthing town centre.

The Argus: Shaun Brown has been jailed for seven years for the 'unprovoked' attackShaun Brown has been jailed for seven years for the 'unprovoked' attack (Image: Sussex Police)

Sussex Police said there was no wider risk to the public.

Blood could be seen outside the Marks and Spencer store following the incident.

In March last year, a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in the town centre in nearby Liverpool Road.

A 14-year-old boy was sentenced to four years in a youth offenders institute last October.