Two women were attacked and beaten as they walked home after dark – because they “looked happy”.

The aftermath of the assaults on November 24 saw a large police presence in Greatstone and cars being stopped in the search for witnesses.

Police arrested 31-year-old electrician Alex Corbett, who admitted attacking the women, one of whom was just 17.

Corbett appeared at Folkestone magistrates on Tuesday, where he was sentenced to 120 days in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Prosecutor Gemma Webb told the court that the attacks came while Littlestone Road resident Corbett was driving round the New Romney area with bottles of alcohol, “mulling over his life”.

She added: “At 8.40pm one of the victims was walking throguh Greatstone when she saw a male approaching her. As he came level with her he launched himself at her, grabbed her shoulders and using his body, forced them both back onto the shingle. The male was straddling her and his legs pinned her arms to her sides.

“She screamed as loud as she could and he ran off down Victoria Road.”

The second victim, the 17-year-old, was walking near Armada Close at 10.40pm when Corbett silently approached her from behind and put his arm round her throat. He then began punching her in the head and her jaw.

When arrested, Corbett broke down and cried.

Miss Webb said: “He said he saw the first female and she had appeared happy. He was angry that she was happy when it was women that had made his life awful. He then saw a female [the second] one her phone laughing and he felt she was laughing at him and he wanted to punish her for that.”

In his defence, Corbett’s solicitor, Charlotte Collett, told the court that Corbett’s marriage had broken down and his ex-wife was living in Australia with their children.

She added: “One of his ways of coping was to hit the bottle. His recollection is hazy but he knows he came home and had an argument with is partner over his alcohol consumption. He left the house feeling suicidal.”

She added: “It was a very ugly incident and one my client is truly remorseful over. It is not in his character to be violent. He needs help.”

Magistrates sentenced Corbett to 120 days for each offence, to run concurrently, suspended for 18 months. He will have to do 200 hours community payback, and also comply with supervision and alcohol treatment orders.

He was ordered to pay £500 to each of his victims plus £60 costs.