A man has been found guilty of sparking a brawl on Brighton's Palace Pier which left a businessman battered and bruised.

A gang attacked computer analyst Kuram Kiani, from Brighton, as he enjoyed a summer evening out with friends.

At Southwark Crown Court, in London, David Rodrigues was found guilty of assaulting Mr Kiani on July 13 last year.

After the verdict, Rodrigues, of West Croydon, Surrey, was warned a prison sentence could not be ruled out over the "ugly" incident.

Adjourning sentence until next month, Judge Paul Dodgson told the him: "You have been convicted of an offence of violence, an offence which is an ugly offence on any view and one which may well result in a custodial sentence in due course. I stress all options are open".

Sarah Thorne, prosecuting, said the assault took place on the pier when Mr Kiani was with two friends.

She said: "Mr Kiani had just been on the bumper cars and they were standing together on the pier."

She said a group of five people, possibly including a woman, approached them and one man asked Mr Kiani for a cigarette. Mr Kiani did not offer him one Miss Thorne said Rodrigues then told his victim "I will take it myself" before launching an unprovoked attack.

She said Mr Kiani was pushed, punched and kicked on the ground by his assailant and other members of the gang joined in.

Miss Thorne said one of the victim's friends intervened and security guards helped calm the situation.

When interviewed, Rodrigues, who did not give evidence, claimed he was strolling along the pier "minding my own business" when a friend was hit by a man. He said he became involved trying to help his friend.