A scaffolder has been told he could face jail after punching a woman in the mouth and kicking her on the floor.

William Todd, 24, from Glasgow, pleaded guilty in court at Worthing to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard his victim, an 18-year-old student, was walking home with her 16-year-old sister past The Warwick pub, in Warwick Road, Worthing, at 2.30am on October 13 last year.

Todd and a companion started swearing at the girls, who responded to the abuse by laughing. Todd became annoyed and challenged them to a fight.

Referring to her sister, the older girl told Todd: "Leave it out, she's only 16."

Kirsten Sharp, prosecuting, said: "She dropped her sister off and walked back the same way.

The defendant again addressed her, and said 'Excuse me, love' in a voice which suggested he was going to ask for the time.

"She turned around and he punched her in the face."

The court also heard that Todd kicked her in the eye after she fell to the ground.

Todd's companion took her to hospital where she was treated for bleeding to the eye and a broken tooth.

District Judge Paul Hain ordered Todd to return to court today for sentencing.