A MAN was left needing stitches after his head was kicked as if it was a football during a fight outside a Southampton club, a court heard.

Nick Lozada ran over to his victim who lay unconscious on the ground outside Orange Rooms and kicked him in the head.

Just moments before, Jesus Pestaña Dos Ramos had punched the man hard in the upper body sending him to the ground.

Their victim landed on his back in Vernon Walk with his head bouncing on impact during the attack on October 24, 2019.

Prosecution barrister, Rose Burns, told how police and an ambulance were called to the scene and he was rushed to hospital

Daily Echo: Jesus Pestaña Dos RamosJesus Pestaña Dos Ramos

He sustained a wound to the back of his head which needed stitches and suffered short term memory problems, Ms Burns added.

Both men appeared at Southampton Crown Court charged with ABH.

Daily Echo: Vernon Walk, SouthamptonVernon Walk, Southampton

Lozada, 24, of Harrison Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty on the basis that he had been provoked.

Meanwhile, Dos Ramos, 23, of Dutton Lane, in Eastleigh, pleaded guilty on the basis he had seen his friend being assaulted and “entered on his side”.

Daily Echo: Nick Coca LozadaNick Coca Lozada

The court heard how an argument arose outside the Orange Rooms between Lozada - who had been speaking with a young woman - and his victim.

During this time, Lozada alleges he was punched by his victim’s friend.

Security guards were able to break things up and “told everybody to go away”.

However, the two defendants and several other men returned in a Vauxhall Corsa then ran after the victim and his friend.

Ellie Fargin said that Lozada had expressed his remorse and regret. She argued that he supports his family financially and works as a taxi driver.

Peter Asteris who defended Dos Ramos said that his client felt shame and had voiced his concern for his victim.

Mr Recorder Richard Smith sentenced them both to nine months in prison, suspended for two years.

Each will have to do 150 hours of unpaid work.