UNEMPLOYED Kyle Williams has been locked up after hitting a man in the face with a branch.

The 20-year-old, of Larch Grove, Chesterton, left Stephen Chappell with a gash along his jaw that needed 45 stitches.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday heard Mr Chappell had been visiting his friend Paul Kelly, in Crackley, on July 3 last year when they heard noises outside.

They went out to investigate and discovered a gang of youths hitting his van, while one – Williams's brother – pulled at the wing mirror.

Mr Kelly shouted at them to stop, but was met with abuse, so went over to the youth tampering with the mirror. The youth swung a punch at Mr Kelly, who punched him in the face, and another youth grabbed Mr Kelly around the neck.

As another group of men, including the defendant, appeared in the street, Mr Chappell told the gang to stop.

Robert Price, prosecuting, said: "At that stage the defendant became involved. He said 'Why are you banging my brother?'

"Mr Kelly said he had been damaging his van. Another member of the group struck Mr Kelly to the head with a bottle, and five or six males were squaring up to him with clenched fists.

"The situation was getting out of hand and Mr Chappell was trying to calm things down. The defendant picked up a branch from the ground and struck the complainant to the face with considerable force.

"The complainant suffered a 6cm laceration down to the bone on his right jaw, which was closed up at hospital with 45 stitches."

Williams pleaded guilty to wounding on the day he was due to stand trial. He said he was told his brother was being beaten up, and arrived to find Mr Kelly hitting him. Williams said he attacked Mr Chappell because he believed he was going to join in the attack on his brother.

The court heard at the time of the attack Williams was subject to a community order imposed after he was convicted of theft, and on bail for another offence.

Joanne Wallbanks, mitigating, said: "The defendant was not part of the original group, he came along having heard his brother was being assaulted.

"This was not pre-meditated, it was an impulsive action and he wasn't aware of what had happened in the run-up.

"He is extremely sorry and if he had the means he would be willing to pay compensation to the victim, but he does not."

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones sentenced Williams to eight months in a young offenders' institution.

Williams also admitted theft after stealing a taxi driver's satellite navigation system from a cab as he was dropped off after a night out, for which he received a further month's detention, making a total of nine months.

Judge Trevor-Jones said: "You hit Mr Chappell with considerable force and caused an ugly, deep wound. Your position is aggravated by the fact you have previous convictions for theft and some violence."