A MAN who went on the run for more than three years after a violent incident in a Redditch pub has been jailed for 12 months.

Andrew Biggs stamped on Mark Venables' face and was caught on a security camera kicking another victim, said Jonathan Challinor, prosecuting.

Trouble broke out after a staring incident inside The Litten Tree on December 20, 2001.

But Biggs failed to turn up at court in April 2002 and was only arrested on a Bench warrant on February 24 this year.

Biggs, aged 37, of Upper Field Close, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and jumping bail.

Two other men had been jailed for nine months each in 2002 and Judge John Cavell said it would be wrong to assume Biggs played a greater role in the violence.

Worcester Crown Court had asked for the video of the incident to be produced. But Mr Challinor said because of the age of the case, it had been destroyed by police.

He described how two men were ejected by pub staff over a scuffle caused by the staring incident.

Biggs kicked one man as he lay helpless on the ground and then leapt in the air and stamped on Mr Venables while he was unconscious.

Police called to the scene chased and caught Biggs. He had a record for injury assault, common assault and threatening behaviour.

Samantha Crabb, defending, said when Biggs saw himself on video he was disgusted by his behaviour.

He went on the run because he was terrified of being locked up.

But during the period he had turned his life around, cutting down on drink and mixing with a more respectable group of people.

Judge Cavell told Biggs: "This kind of violence is sadly all too common. The public are thoroughly fed up with it. The fact you were the worse for drink is no excuse."