A FORMER butcher who kicked another man’s head “like a football” during an alcohol-fuelled street attack has been jailed for 12 months.

Leon Clark, 47, from Ashmore Avenue, Poole, admitted assaulting Andrew Golding on September 3 last year, causing actual bodily harm.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Kerry Maylin said violence flared outside a pizza restaurant on Blandford Road, Hamworthy.

An eyewitness told police how he had spotted Clark kicking 32-year-old Mr Golding twice to the head “like a football” before punching him while he lay unconscious.

After the witness intervened Clark punched his victim again on the nose before walking off. Police were called and Mr Golding was taken to hospital for treatment.

He complained of jaw and eye pain but an examination found no serious injuries and he was discharged after spending the night in hospital.

Defending Clark, Nigel Mitchell said his client had stayed out of trouble until he was 40 but turned to drink after his relationship with his partner “went very wrong.”

Mr Mitchell added: “His recollection of this incident is cloudy; he can’t remember kicking Mr Golding and is aghast at doing so.

“He got involved in somebody else’s fight and has now reduced his alcohol intake.

“The landlady at his local is under strict instructions not to give him more than four pints a day.”

Sentencing Clark, Judge Samuel Wiggs told Clark: “This was a very nasty attack; it was fortunate for your victim and you that the injuries were not more serious.”