A BARE-CHESTED man caught up in “ugly and disgraceful” street violence has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

Daniel Oldcorn, 21, of Maidwell Way, Woodside, Bradford, punched a man and kicked him in the face as he lay on the ground in Halifax town centre shortly before 4am on November 10 last year.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that Oldcorn was caught on CCTV behaving in an aggressive manner outside a bar and then chasing a male down the street and attacking him.

Oldcorn, who was topless, was involved in a fight during which he kicked his victim in the torso. He then pursued him and laid into him again after he fell, kicking him in the face and then walking away.

The court heard that the victim was found by Street Angels but never gave his details to them and had not been traced. He was seen leaving the scene in a vehicle and it was not known how seriously he was injured, if at all.

Oldcorn, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to affray at the earliest opportunity in the magistrates’ court, his barrister, Andrew Semple, said.

Character references spoke of a very different young man from the one involved in the “ugly footage,” Mr Semple told the court.

Oldcorn did well at school and had always been in work. When his parents moved away from the area, his mental health deteriorated and he became depressed and anxious. He used alcohol as a crutch to help him cope and began drinking in excess.

He was shocked by his actions that night and had no recollection of them, Mr Semple said.

Oldcorn had not reoffended in the year since he committed the offence. He was ashamed and remorseful and had cut right back on his drinking.

He was in full-time work and terrified of going to prison.

Judge Andrew Hatton said: “This was clear aggression, sustained for some time. These were ugly scenes of disgraceful and shocking behaviour.”

Oldcorn was bare-chested on a busy street, aggressive and pushing and jostling before attacking his victim, punching him and kicking him in the face when he was on the ground. He then walked off, just leaving him there.

Judge Hatton said he was just able to suspend the inevitable custodial sentence, warning Oldcorn that he would go to prison if he breached the order