A JUDGE has called for a review of the licensing laws in a bid to halt the rising tide of drunken violence on the streets of Bournemouth.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC said: “Speaking as someone who has to deal with such violence, almost on a daily basis, there is far too much violence and drunkenness on the streets of Bournemouth late at night.

“It may, in part, be due to the relaxation of the licensing laws.

“I would hope that relaxation is reviewed in the foreseeable future.”

His comments came after he heard how a kebab had sparked an early morning attack in the town’s Triangle area which ended with a former solder kicking another man in the head as he lay on the ground.

Dean Grant, 31, from Malvern Road, Bournemouth, admitted assaulting Dean Corbin, causing him actual bodily harm, in the early hours of September 20 last year.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Anita Gibson-Lee said violence had flared at about 4.30am after Mr Corbin “flicked” a kebab into Grant’s face.

Grant “saw red” and lashed out.

The ensuing fight was caught on camera and witnessed by a taxi driver.

Mr Corbin suffered two black eyes, a cut to his eyebrow and bruising all over his body.

In his defence, Les Smith said Grant’s behaviour had been “appalling”, adding: “There was a substantial amount of aggression shown to him by Mr Corbin.

“His shirt was ripped and one of his teeth had to be replaced.”

Mr Smith, who handed in a number of “glowing references”, stressed that Grant had shown “a high level of remorse” and was “haunted by what may have happened to Mr Corbin”.

Imposing a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordering the father-of-one to carry out 195 hours of unpaid work, Judge Harvey Clark told him: “If a man kicks another man in the head when he is on the ground, my policy is to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

“But, in this case, I am satisfied that you were sorely provoked.

“I have decided to impose a suspended sentence but I can assure you that it is by the narrowest of margins.”

He added: “You lost your temper and behaved stupidly. You behaved like a 16-year-old yob with no manners or social graces.

“Your references are remarkable. I’m also conscious of the fact that you are totally remorseful.”