Four bullies – branded cowards by a judge – have received jail sentences for an unprovoked attack on a man and his partner in Deal.

The thugs – part of a 15 strong group - were in Mill Road when sweethearts Adam Clarke and Danielle Dolbear walked past in May last year.

Nathan Thacker, 21, began dancing around the frightened Ms Dolbear trying to provoke a reaction, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

But then Thacker and others launched a ferocious attack on Mr Clarke as he tried to protect his partner.

Prosecutor John Fitzgerald said that even after the initial attack had finished another of the bullies, Ryan Lee, 20, went up to the victim and demanded he went on his knees and begged.

But bravely Mr Clarke refused telling Lee: “I don’t want any trouble... I just want to protect the missus.”

Thacker, of Godwyn Road, Deal, was jailed for 18 months for his part in the attack which happened while he was in breach of a previous suspended sentence.

Lee and his brother Damion, 22, both of William Pitt Avenue, and Karl Foster, 22, of Wellesley Avenue, Walmer, each received 18 month sentences suspended for two years.

All three were each ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work for the community and pay their victim £100 within six months.

Mr Fitzgerald said the Lee brothers and Foster had changed their pleas to guilty for the assaults after their lawyers were given a “Goodyear indication” by Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl that they would not face immediate jail terms.

The judge told all four that it had been a cowardly attack.

Mr Fitgerald said that after dancing around Ms Dolbear, Thacker had rejoined the group but then returned with the two Lees.

“They were swearing and goading Mr Clarke into having a fight but before he could say anything, punches began being thrown.

"It was at least three against one at one stage.

“Thatcher grabbed his victim around the neck and began strangling him and Mr Clarke was struggling to breathe.

“There were a number of kicks and punches aimed at him before other members of the group stopped the fight and Mr Clarke took a taxi to hospital, fearing at one stage he had a broken nose.”

The court heard that the victim was treated for numerous bumps and a small cut to his nose and both he and his partner later told police they feared going out after the unprovoked attack.

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