Two brothers who beat a man up at the entrance to Eastbourne Pier have each been jailed for two years.

Kurt and Clint Weston set upon Andrew Miller after blowing up to £300 on alcohol with another brother, a jury was told.

The attack, which took place after the victim allegedly taunted them with homophobic abuse, was captured on CCTV.

Mr Miller was kicked and punched so violently that he had to spend three days in hospital.

Kurt and Clint Weston bowed their heads as Lewes Crown Court was shown footage of the beating one Saturday evening last November.

The Westons, out with their brother David, were holding a raincoat over their head as they walked along the side of the pier and came across Mr Miller and his friend.

Ann Toynbee, prosecuting, said: "Both defendants and another brother had been drinking in Eastbourne town centre.

"At 12.45pm they went to the entrance of Eastbourne Pier. As they walked along the pier, two young men were walking in the opposite direction.

"Words were exchanged and the men, Andrew Miller and Christopher Dillon, replied 'Yeah, yeah' in a sarcastic manner. The two men then left the pier and walked on to Royal Parade.

"It appears Clint ran after them and attacked them. Miller was initially punched around the face but as Dillon ran away, Miller was attacked again from behind and pulled to the ground.

"Once on the ground, he was held down in that position and Clint kicked him around the face. Kurt joined in and punched Mr Miller when he was on the ground.

"Mr Dillon returned in order to deflect attention and was punched by David Weston. When a police vehicle was seen approaching, the brothers left and walked on to the pier."

She added: "The attack on Mr Miller was completely unprovoked and extremely violent."

Ms Toynbee said both defendants made full admissions and were distraught when they saw the video footage.

Mr Miller and Mr Dillon were both taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital, where Mr Miller was kept in for treatment for severe bruising and facial cuts.

Both Kurt Weston, 21, of London Road, St Leonards, and Clint Weston, 26, of Foxglove Road, Eastbourne, admitted causing actual bodily harm.

Kurt Weston also admitted criminal damage relating to the throwing of the drain cover in Benbridge Road, Eastbourne.

David Weston has already been ordered by magistrates to pay £50 compensation to Mr Dillon and do 60 hours' community service after admitting common assault.

Terry Ballard, defending Kurt and Clint Weston, said: "They are genuinely and profoundly remorseful about their behaviour."

Sentencing the pair, Judge Richard Hayward said: "It was a vicious assault. I've no doubt when you saw the video, you were deeply ashamed. This is the kind of mindless violence that mars many seaside towns."

Kurt Weston was sentenced to an additional six months for criminal damage. The court heard a witness later saw him throw a drain cover on to the bonnet of a Volvo car.