A MAN was subjected to a barrage of kicks in the head as his attackers held his arms to get a better aim in a Worcester street.

Marcus White ended up in hospital but refused to make a complaint when police went to interview him at his bedside.

But passers-by were horrified by the level of violence they saw in Mealcheapen Street at midnight on November 11, 2006.

Rachel Simmonds told police she thought the victim would be killed, said Kerry Moreton, prosecuting.

Miss Simmonds said in a statement: "It was hideous. I can't comprehend how people can use that level of violence against another human being."

She said the thuds of the kicks came to her in flashbacks for the rest of the night.

Another witness Claire Wilkes said: "It ruined my evening. We went home early due to my distress at that act in the street."

Stuart Gibbs, aged 33, of Oldfield, Tewkesbury, and 23-year-old Jake Pettitt, of Westfield Avenue, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to affray and were each jailed for four months at Worcester Crown Court.

Judge John Cavell described their actions as "vicious, drunken violence".

Businessman Gibbs had previous convictions for public disorder and Pettit, a local amateur footballer, had cautions for violence.

The judge added: "The public have had enough. This sort of violence by young men fuelled by drink, is, sadly, all too common in our cities."

The court was told the prosecution accepted that Mr White began the incident after squaring up to a friend from the defendants' group. But Miss Moreton said the pair over-reacted and used excessive force, knocking the victim down and kicking him unconscious. Even though his head became "floppy", they persisted in aiming more kicks and punches.

Luckily Mr White escaped with only serious bruising.

Kirsty Real, for Gibbs, said jail would put his firm and the jobs of four employees in jeopardy.

Joe Kieran, for Pettitt, said he was "triggered into reaction" by a man spoiling for a fight.