A Brighton decorator has been jailed for launching a brutal attack on two men who were walking together arm-in-arm.

Darren Jebb punched Peter Miller so hard he had to eat through a straw for a week after the attack, a court heard.

Mr Miller and his friend were walking through Castle Square, Brighton, in the early hours of the morning when Jebb and another man who had no part in the attack approached from the opposite direction.

Jebb, 28, of Sutherland Road, Brighton, mistook an innocent brushing of their shoulders as they passed as a threat and lashed out at Mr Miller on November 16 last year.

He hit his startled victim between six and ten times in the face before Mr Miller was able to recover enough to run off.

Jebb pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for 15 months when he appeared at Hove Crown Court yesterday.

George Hepburne-Scott, prosecuting, said Jebb had previous convictions for violence, including causing actual bodily harm.

Phillip Wakeham, defending, said Jebb had an alcohol problem and all his convictions had been as a result of drinking.

Mr Wakeham said: "He denies completely that he has any problems with certain sections of society and wants to apologise to Mr Miller and his friend for what happened."

Judge Christopher Wilson told Jebb: "You embarked on a wholly gratuitous and violent attack in a public place.

"Members of the public, whether they be men or women, are entitled to walk along the streets of Brighton arm in arm without fear of attack from thugs like you."