A YOUNG thug who attacked a Good Samaritan has for the second time in seven months escaped being sent to jail.

Anthony Gregorace savagely beat his victim with an advertising hoarding before raining punches and kicks on him as he lay on the ground. But after hearing how he had turned his life around, a judge decided not to jail the 20-year-old.

At an earlier hearing the court was told how Gregorace and pal Linval Nicholson, 23, set upon Jean Menade on Canal Walk in the early hours of February 15.

The passer-by had stepped in to help when he saw Nicholson hit out at his girlfriend during a row.

Prosecutor Tim Evans said: "The victim told Nicholson that he did not have to hit a woman. The lady replied that it was a domestic. Nicholson then pushed the man to the floor where he was repeatedly kicked."

Gregorace then lunged at the victim with the advertising sign before flying in with kicks and punches.

Mr Menade eventually fled from his attackers and was comforted by passers-by until paramedics and police arrived. He was taken to Great Western Hospital.

Images from a closed circuit television system, which captured the attack on film, were shown to the court.

Andrew Hobson, defending both the men, described the video footage as 'distressing' but said Gregorace was the main attacker.

"Both of these young men went out with the intention of enjoying themselves and freely admit to having drunk too much," he said.

"The violence seems to have stemmed from the fact that Mr Menade did not like seeing the domestic argument. Nicholson expresses a limited amount of remorse but he is a man who finds it hard to articulate himself."

At an earlier hearing both men were told that if they kept out of trouble for the next four months then they may escape a custodial sentence. Judge Tom Longbotham also told them to save £300 each to pay as compensation to the victim.

Gregorace, of Bruce Street, and Nicholson, of Ripon Way, both pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm.

However Nicholson failed to turn up for sentencing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Mr Hobson said Gregorace, who still lived with his parents, had cut back on his drinking and worked six days a week as a ground worker.

In March this year Gregorace was put on an 18-month probation order with 80 hours community service and Mr Hobson said he had completed the work already.

Passing a new 240-hour community service order, Judge Longbotham said: "You can count yourself extremely fortunate that you are not going down. If you come before me again then down you will go, and not just for a few months but for a significant period of time. This is your last chance." He ordered him to pay £100 towards the costs of the case.