TWO teenage thugs have been locked up for a terrifying assault that left their victim unconscious in a pool of blood.

A judge told Liam Diss and Benjamin Haynes: “This was a vicious, concerted and cowardly attack – mindless violence spurred on by grossly excessive drinking.

“Offences of this nature are all too frequent and must be dealt with severely by the courts.”

Diss, of Forge Lane, Gillingham, sobbed as he was sentenced to 12 months’ youth custody. Benjamin Haynes was sentenced to 10 months.

Jake Adams, also of Forge Lane, Gillingham, played a lesser part in the incident and was ordered to complete a 100-hour community punishment order.

Diss and Haynes admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and Adams admitted common assault.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that the victim Sharat Chandra Gopisetty, a computer engineer studying at the University of Greenwich, could remember only going out on September 25 last year, as his mind was blank.

Karen Holt, prosecuting, said Diss, Haynes and Adams went to the Tap’n’Tin pub in Chatham, where a woman with them complained about the behaviour of a young man.

While at a nearby takeaway, the three 19-year-olds saw Mr Gopisetty, who they believed was the man.

“A group crowded round the victim,” said Miss Holt. “Adams punched him and, as a result, he ran off with Haynes and Adams in close pursuit and Diss closely behind.”

Mr Gopisetty fell and was attacked while motionless on the ground. A witness said Diss and Haynes were responsible. The victim was lying on his back with blood pouring from his right side.

Miss Holt said another witness described Adams eventually pulling Haynes and Diss off Mr Gopisetty.

The victim was treated in hospital but was still on medication three weeks after the attack. He was advised to see a neurologist, but it was not known whether he did so as he had returned home to India.

Judge Warwick McKinnon said the message had to go out that such violence by those who were tempted to go out and “drink themselves stupid” would not be tolerated.

“The victim appears to have been a respectable young man who had the grievous misfortune to have met up with you,” he told the three.