A MAN who stamped on his victim’s head and kicked him repeatedly during a drunken night out has been spared jail.
Phillip Atkinson left his victim - his friend - with a broken lower jaw, black eyes and abrasions to the face, a court heard.
His words during the attack were “If you go down you stay down”.
The two were “well-known to each other” and “had been drinking” in New Milton on the night of July 21 last year.
Atkinson’s victim “recalls being hit in the face and nothing else”.
A witness saw the 47-year-old “kick his victim in the abdomen”.
He is said to have walked back and “kicked him again and then stamped on his head”.
Appearing before Southampton Crown Court on Monday, Atkinson of Christchurch Road in Bournemouth faced a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He previously pleaded guilty.
Prosecution barrister, Roderick Blain told how Atkinson has a number of previous offences which include GBH, battery, sexual offences and criminal damage.
Defending barrister, Jamie Gammon said his client has not been able to comment on his behaviour but is ashamed and argued he has not had a drink since the night of the attack.
Judge Gary Burrell QC jailed him for 15-months, suspended for two years.
He will have a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement and need to complete 25 rehabilitation days. Atkinson must pay £500 in compensation.
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