A CHRISTMAS prank with a Santa hat led to a man being knocked down and kicked on the ground outside a pub, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Mark Bieko was attacked at the George III, on Chapel Street, Queensbury, on December 13 last year after he asked a reveller to return his festive headgear.

Aidan Robertson, 20, of Vale Grove, Queensbury, who had taken the hat and put it on, grabbed Mr Bieko from behind and punched him to the ground, prosecutor David Lampitt said.

Robertson's friend, Thomas Thoresby, also 20, of Lewis Close, Queensbury, then kicked Mr Bieko once in the face as he lay on the floor.

Both men pleaded guilty to causing him actual bodily harm and were committed to the crown court for sentence by Bradford and Keighley magistrates.

Robertson was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and Thoresby to three months in a young offender institution, suspended for 12 months, with 180 hours of unpaid work. Both must undertake an activity requirement with the probation service.

Mr Lampitt said the three men were outside in the pub's smoking area and at first the mood was good natured.

Robertson took Mr Bieko's Santa hat and put it on his own head. He then pushed him when he wanted it back.

Mr Bieko was walking back into the pub with his hat when he was attacked.

He suffered a cut to the back of his head, needing gluing in hospital, and bruising and swelling to his face.

Mr Lampitt said the police showed the defendants CCTV footage of the assault after they said they had little recollection of the incident.

Tom Rushbrooke, Thoresby's lawyer, said he was addressing his problem with binge drinking.

He was working in an apprenticeship and was horrified when he saw the CCTV footage of the attack.

The offence was totally out of character and he had written to Mr Bieko to apologise.

Michael Reeves, for Robertson, said he was in work and the offence was wholly out of character after he had been drinking.

Judge David Hatton QC said: "This was a drunken escapade in which you both behaved disgracefully."

But they were hard working young men and the offence was out of character and contrary to the way they had both been brought up. They had good prospects and support from their families.