A teenager who punched and kicked a man on the ground calling him a “pussy” when he begged him to stop has avoided a prison sentence.

Jack Singleton, 19, of Penn Road, Rickmansworth was ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work and given a 12-week curfew for the unprovoked beating handed out to Ian Matthewson at Long Island Exchange, Rickmansworth, in the early hours of Saturday Morning, May 3.

Singleton was found guilty of assault previously and sentenced by Dacorum magistrates on Monday. The defendant, who had no previous convictions but a caution, had been warned he could go to prison.

However, chairman of the bench Peter Palfrey said after hearing mitigation and reading a number of character references, including one from the teen’s grandmother Patricia Singleton, he had avoided prison.

After sentence was handed down the defendant’s lawyer said he was instructed to inform the court his client would be launching an appeal.

Tamsin Wilcox, for the prosecution told how Mr Matthewson stopped off at the popular nightspot for a drink after work and was attacked by Singleton after intervening in an argument.

Mr Matthewson decided to go on his way after Singleton became aggressive. However, Singleton blocked his way out of the building and as the victim got past Singleton ran after him.

Mr Matthewson fell to the floor and without provocation Singleton kicked him in the head. As he tried to protect himself Singleton repeatedly kicked him in the head and body.

He managed to get up and run off, but his way was blocked by another man. He fell to the floor again and as he was kicked by both men pleaded: “please do not hurt me” and “leave me”.

Singleton kicked him again calling him a “pussy,” leaving him with a cut to the head and bruises all over his body, before door staff intervened.

Singleton will be tagged during the curfew period and was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Mr Matthewson and £625 costs.