by Paul Hooper

Two yobs stamped all over a man's car...and then kicked him unconscious after he objected, a court heard.

Then they stole his victim's wallet with £420 and his gold wedding ring, prosecutor John Keal told Canterbury Crown Court.

Ben Twyman, 21, of St Anne's Drive, Herne Bay admitted assault and theft and was told by the judge it had been a "mean and callous" theft and jailed him for a total of 27 months.

His pal Paul Jackson, 24, from Grange Road, Ramsgate was jailed for 28 months - which included an extra month for failing to attend court. He also admitted the offences.

Mr Keal told how in April the victim, Michael Huntley, had been told by his son that four people were walking over his car parked outside his home in Gilbert Road, Ramsgate.

He went outside to confront the two men and two women - after discovering the windscreen smashed.

But drunken Twyman - who was out of prison on licence - told him arrogantly: "It's only a car!"

Mr Keal said Jackson then walked up to Mr Huntley while Twyman went behind the victim.

"Tyman punched him in the face and knocked Mr Huntley to the floor and as he tried to get up Jackson punched him in the back of his head.

"The two then unleashed a barrage of kicks as Mr Huntley lay on the floor- with Twyman kicking his victim in the ribs.

"Mr Huntley just lay there and an eyewitness reported he lost consciousness."

Mr Keal added that the two then stole Mr Huntley's wallet with his wedding ring inside.

Mr Huntley was then taken to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital and treated for head injuries.

A police officer alerted to the attack spotted Twyman at a nearby Tesco Store trying to change a £50 note, the court heard.

Jackson was arrested later with two £50 notes in his socks and his trainers still stained with his victim's blood.

Simon Taylor, for Twyman, said it had been a "deplorable course of conduct" but that he had written a letter to his victim offering to repay the money.

Mr Taylor said the letter - which was shown the judge - expressed "Twyman's genuine feelings of remorse".

The Judge, Recorder Peter Gower, QC told them: "This was disgraceful conduct, thoroughly yobbish behaviour. It was a completely unprovoked attack without any justification followed by a mean and callous theft."