A CONVICTED killer battered a drunken man to the ground in a Hereford street and stamped on his head, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Vicious Simon Thomas deliberately bumped into Andrew Teale in King Street as he staggered between pubs.

An argument blew up before Thomas launched a headbutt and a flurry of kicks telling the victim: "This will teach you."

The 29-year-old had been jailed for manslaughter in the past and had served another prison sentence for assault causing actual bodily harm, said prosecutor Ruona Iguyovwe.

After beating Mr Teale semi-conscious, Thomas walked off but two passers-by grabbed him and held on until police arrived.

Thomas, of Whitecross Road, Hereford, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Adjourned

The case was adjourned after it was discovered Hereford magistrates had committed it to crown court under the wrong legal section.

Remanding Thomas in custody, Recorder David Bright warned Thomas he was facing another term of custody.

Mr Teale managed to cross a road but was abusive to people in a car parked at a zebra crossing, said Miss Iguyovwe.

He then fell into a doorway before being confronted by Thomas who had been drinking at a friend's house.

Mr Teale ended up bleeding profusely and spent a night in hospital. He had a five-inch gash on his head, a cut lip, an injured eye, a badly scratched neck and a large swelling on his head.

Thomas answered "no comment" to most questions put to him by police. He claimed to have drunk two glasses of wine.