A thug who was "spoiling for a fight" knocked an innocent bystander unconscious outside an Ashford pub, a court heard today Wednesday.
James Hilden, 28, punched Michael Kelly once, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the pavement.

Witnesses to the attack later told police of hearing “ a crunching-type noise”.
Mr Kelly, who had played no part in the altercation involving Hilden at The Albion pub in August 2007, suffered a fractured skull.
Maidstone Crown Court heard father-of-three Hilden was about to get into a taxi when he struck the unsuspecting Mr Kelly.
Jailing Hilden for 21 months Judge Jeremy Carey described the blow as “brutal” and warned that those who go around punching others do so “in great peril”.

He said that the fact Mr Kelly’s injury was likely to have been caused by his head striking the pavement and not the punch was “of only partial relevance”.
“If you hit someone, particularly when they are not expecting it, you take the consequences of it.”

Hilden, of Frittenden Close, Stanhope Estate, admitted causing grievous bodily harm. The court heard that on the evening of August 19 two years ago he had become aggressive with staff.

Prosecutor Jonathan Higgs told the court he threatened to break a barman’s jaw and later invited the licensee to “step outside”.
Taxis were called for Hilden and his group, who went outside the pub. Also outside was the licensee and several observers, including Mr Kelly. He was described in court as being “placid in the proceedings”.
Hilden, said Mr Higgs, then approached a taxi. “However, he turned around and struck Mr Kelly, very forcefully, once with his left fist.
“Whether or not he was unconscious from that blow, he fell backwards, landing heavily on the ground, and was unconscious from then on and for some time.”

As well as his fractured skull, Mr Kelly suffered a perforated ear drum, bruising and a cut to his lip and gum. The court heard he was in hospital for a week, but was later readmitted as a precaution as he was suffering from double vision and problems with his balance.
Referring to a victim impact statement, Mr Higgs said Mr Kelly had recovered from his physical injuries but was no longer confident going out alone.
Following his arrest, Hilden told police the initial argument with bar staff concerned a packet of crisps.

His previous convictions include one for assault when he was just 14. Other offences include theft and burglary.
Ged O’Connor, defending, said alcohol was at the root of the attack. But he argued that as forceful as the single punch might have been, there was not a sustained assault on Mr Kelly, nor one involving weapons or kicking.