Forgetting a former girlfriend's name twice landed a man in hospital suffering from bruises, a court heard.

Town magistrates heard that the woman was so offended by the memory lapse that her friends followed the man and beat him up.

Kevin Cottrell, 21, of Fitz-maurice Close, Covingham, and Gavin Plumstead, 20, of Hallam Moor, Swindon, both admitted common assault on July 23. Cottrell also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of failing to surrender to custody.

Magistrates, who said they were appalled by what happened, sentenced each man to four months in a young offenders institution.

Prosecuting, Roger Jones said the victim of the assault spoke to the woman after a night out in Old Town and later realised two men were following him.

"He knew Plumstead as an ex-boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend,'' Mr Jones said.

"It was at this point that the attack started, when Plumstead leapt at him, punching him to the head. He fell to the ground and he was then kicked.''

Mr Jones said Cottrell joined in the three to four minute attack.

The victim, added Mr Jones, received treatment in the Accident and Emergency Ward of PMH, where he was prescribed painkillers for cuts and bruises to his face.

Defending Plumstead David Gostling said his client's actions were quite unacceptable and he had expressed much regret and remorse. "He admits he was paralytic, '' said Mr Gostling.

Defending Cottrell, Con Fernandes, said: "Mr Cottrell noticed his co-defendant break off and run off after the lad. He struck the injured party by throwing a few punches. It is the very worse type of offence he didn't know the reason why the man was being attacked.''