Three thugs punched a man unconscious in a vicious street robbery.

The trio attacked Ashley Sharman in Ash one afternoon, stealing a pair of £115 trainers, his mobile phone and a ring from his finger as he lay defenceless.

In a statement read to Canterbury Crown Court, Mr Sharman said that ever since the robbery in February he felt he needed to watch his back and had been out only once since it happened.

He said he was worried about repercussions, hadn’t slept properly and became nervous when a car pulled up near him.

One of the attackers, Stuart Turnbull, 22, has now been jailed for a total of four-and-a-half years for the robbery, possessing a knife, possessing cannabis and two driving offences.

Edmund Fowler, prosecuting, said on February 1 Mr Sharman was walking along New Street, Ash when he heard a car brake and felt it was behind him. He heard three doors shut and saw Turnbull whom he knew from school.

"You robbed him of everything he had, even taking the ring from his finger, a nasty final act" - Judge Recorder Jonathan Higgs QC

He was punched three times and lost consciousness. When he came to he found his wallet, £50 in cash, his mobile phone, a bag containing new trainers costing £115 and an engraved ring from his mother, which was on his finger, all missing.

Later that day police officers followed Turnbull’s car. Inside they found a knife and cannabis and they found more cannabis when they searched his home. He denied taking part in the robbery to police.

Mr Fowler said Turnbull, of Tower Hill, Dover, had previous convictions for burglary, theft, possessing a knife in a public place, being drunk and disorderly, intimidating witnesses and possessing cannabis intending to supply.

Turnbull also admitted being in breach of a suspended prison sentence.

Phil Rowley, defending, said Turnbull did not accept he threw a punch but it was a case of joint enterprise. He went to Sandwich Technology School and did a joinery course at Canterbury College.

“His problems stem from his use of cannabis and he started hanging out with the wrong crowd,” Mr Rowley said. “He has a problem with anxiety. He does not like being in custody and will ensure he will address his problems when he leaves prison.”

Judge Recorder Jonathan Higgs QC told Turnbull he had a very bad record for someone of 22.

“This is a serious offence of street robbery,” he said. “You were in a group of three who beat the victim unconscious and robbed him of everything he had, even taking the ring from his finger, a nasty final act.

“You have had chance after chance to address your behaviour and have failed to do so.”