Paul Alan Stroud, 22, of Collier Road, and Peter Hill, 22, of Clarence Road, St Leonards, this week pleaded guilty to the assault by beating of Luke Brunger before magistrates in Hastings.

The court heard that the pair were walking through the underpass at Harold Place on June 28.

Prosecutor Mark Kately said they asked Mr Brunger and his friend what they were looking at.

He said: "Stroud punched his friend and missed, then punched Mr Brunger. The punch landed with such force that it forced him to fall to the floor.

"His friend was chased by Hill. He returned to Mr Brunger and kicked him while he was on the floor.

"Mr Brunger managed to get up and run into Hastings town centre and after looking around with the police identified the pair.

"They told police that they had been drinking since 1pm that afternoon."

Rosalind Crook, mitigating, said; "fortunately there were no serious injuries to the victim."

The pair were bailed and the case was adjourned for reports to August 27.