A MAN has been jailed for helping beat up a man after finding out a party did not exist.

Paul Foreman arrived at a home in Southampton with three other men, but when they were refused entry and told to go away by the occupant's boyfriend Carl Spiteri three of them forced their way into the house.

His girlfriend Rachael Ravenscroft described them hitting and punching him and at one point stamping on his face, Southampton Crown Court heard.

The assault, at Somerset Terrace in the early hours of July 12 last year, continued outside, now involving four men, where neighbours called the police and shouted which stopped it.

Miss Ravenscroft's mobile phone and two of Mr Spiteri's were taken.

Craig Ham, 22, of Sedburgh Road, Millbrook, a former boyfriend of Miss Ravenscroft, who was described as leading this attack, has already been sentenced.

The court heard Foreman also burgled a 67-year-old's woman home in Bindon Close, Southampton, on June 18 last year taking jewellery of sentimental value belonging to the victim's mother, some of which has not been recovered, which left the victim frightened to leave her house.

Foreman pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was convicted after a trial for the burglary.

Khalid Missouri, defending, said Foreman had recently been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivitiy Disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder and offered free therapy sessions which he could not take up if jailed.

Judge Peter Crabtree sentenced Foreman to three years six months in prison and a £120 victim surcharge.