A NIGHTCLUBBER was beaten up after being chased by two men who repeatedly kicked and punched him, Southampton Crown Court heard.

David Langley suffered a broken nose and a cut lip in what Judge Peter Henry described as an unpleasant and sustained attack carried out by the pair, who he said were “disgustingly drunk”.

The victim and Jack Austin had been involved in an earlier incident in Junk nightclub and Austin told Ben Neale what had happened. At about 3am Neale and Mr Langley left together and walked to the other side of London Road, where Austin shortly afterwards joined them.

Prosecutor Michael Hall said that Austin was aggressive and punched Mr Langley on the jaw.

Mr Langley fled but only got as far as College Place, where he was again punched in the head.

He got away again but was caught once more near Middle Road, where Neale held him around the neck and punched him, while Austin kicked him about the body as he lay on the ground.

A passing cyclist called the police and both were arrested nearby.

Austin, 20, of Oak Close, Redbridge, and Neale, 19, of Hollister Close, Millbrook, admitted causing actual bodily harm. The former was jailed for 12 months and the latter for six months.

Both men were said to be of previous good character.

In mitigation for Austin, David Jenkins said that his client had drank too much, was full of remorse and wished that he could turn back the clock.

Charles Cochand, for Neale, said that his client had acted out of character. He was a hard worker, deeply regretted what he had done, and accepted that he had joined in because he was drunk, he said.