LORRY driver assessor John Melville is starting a year in jail after admitting assaulting a man on a Swindon street.

Swindon Crown Court heard how 31-year-old Melville attacked Wayne Fliton in County Road on February 22, punching him and kicking him when he was down on the ground.

Judge John McNaught told Melville: "You were the worse for drink. There may well have been some provocation, but the man you attacked was very, very drunk.

"You set upon him in the street and while he was down you kicked him. That's a terrible thing to do."

In mitigation, Jonathan Simpson said there was evidence that the victim of the assault was being loud and obnoxious.

He added that Melville had a responsible job and a stable relationship and had been assessed at being at a low risk of re-offending.

"He drinks and he can get violent," he said. "He did not restrain himself that night.

"The man had drunk 13 pints and decided to victimise my client. He picked on a number of others and for many hours Mr Melville held back. There was a degree of provocation."