A man who brutally attacked his friend during a drunken, unprovoked assault in Chippenham has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Ryan Steer, 21, of Unity Street, Chippenham, appeared at Swindon Crown Court today for sentencing.

He had previously pleaded guilty to Section 20 grievous bodily harm and assault by beating.

In the early hours of 23 November last year Steer was with friends, drinking at a flat in Unity Street.

Steer then got into an argument with his victim, a man in his 20s, over the fact that Steer wanted to take his bank card to buy more alcohol.

Unprovoked, Steer punched his victim to the floor, before kicking him to the head and face multiple times.

The victim sustained multiple fractures to his face and needed surgery to install metal plates.

PC Kelly Higginbottom, from Melksham CID, said: “This was a violent and sustained assault which has left the victim with long-term injuries.

“Not only is he still recovering from the physical impact of the attack, but he is also having to deal with the mental scars.

“I hope that today’s sentence shows the victim that justice has been done.”

Detective Inspector Tom Straker added: “Steer is a violent offender who left his victim with serious injuries.

“We welcome today’s sentence and I would like to thank my team of officers and staff who worked so hard on this case.”