AN ESTATE agent who was caught on camera attacking a woman outside a Bournemouth nightclub has received a suspended prison sentence.

Andrew Giles, 22, from Highfield Road, Corfe Mullen, admitted assault, causing actual bodily harm, in the early hours of December 7 last year.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Elaine Jones said Giles had been filmed raining blows on his victim as she lay on the ground outside Toko in St Peter’s Road.

Miss Jones said Giles had verbally abused the woman inside the club and she had thrown a drink over him.

Violence flared in the street after they had both left the premises. One witness watched in horror as Giles set upon the woman.

In a statement she said: “I saw him punch her repeatedly in the face. He hit her at least four times; heavy, solid blows. I totally froze because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was absolutely horrible.”

Giles ran off and his victim was taken to hospital where she was treated for minor facial injuries.

In his defence, Tim Bradbury said Giles was “truly ashamed of what he had done,” adding: “He behaved in a way which was totally out of character.

“He has now changed his behaviour and no longer goes out binge drinking, having seen the effects of excessive drinking late at night in Bournemouth.

“He has never been in trouble with the police before and has learned his lesson.”

Imposing a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, Judge Samuel Wiggs told Giles: “On this occasion you behaved as an idiot. That girl had no reason to be punched on the ground.”

Giles was ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid community work, observe a three-month curfew and pay his victim £1,000 compensation along with £300 towards prosecution costs.