TWO men were injured with a rounders bat in Worcester city centre when a disturbance broke out in the early hours.

Darren Price was struck on the back of the head and Karl Foskett on his elbow.

Their attacker was Simon Coopey who insisted he waded in to help a friend and "even the score", said Tim Sapwell, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

Coopey, aged 26, of Ennerdale Close, Warndon, Worcester, pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault, possession of a weapon and failing to surrender to bail.

He also admitted breaching a suspended jail term imposed in January for possession of heroin with intent to supply and cannabis possession.

Judge Andrew Geddes activated the 12-month suspended sentence and added nine months and 14 days.

He said: "These were serious offences late at night in the middle of the city. You knew perfectly well what you were getting yourself into but ignored the suspended sentence."

On August 18 a man woke up Coopey by knocking on his door and told him he was involved in an altercation over a woman being injured, said Mr Sapwell.

Father-of-two Coopey armed himself with the handle-less bat and used it as others intervened in a fight between his friend and Mr Price.

The defendant had 39 previous offences on his record including three for violence.

Simon Phillips, defending, said Coopey had made great strides to rid himself of a drug habit and had not offended for six months prior to the attack.

"It was an ugly incident," he said, "but he was there as back-up. It's a real shame he got himself into trouble."