A homophobic thug has narrowly avoided jail after shouting abuse and punching a man twice in an unprovoked attack.

Oliver Goldsmith, 24, was a passenger in a van driving past a man who was standing alone when he launched a tirade of verbal homophobic abuse at him.

Goldsmith, of Ratcliffe Highway, Hoo, got the driver of the van to slow down as it drove past the man and began shouting abuse out of the window at him.

The thug, pictured, then punched the 25-year-old man in the face twice, causing significant swelling and bruising to his face.

The incident happened in May while the man was standing alone on Handforth Road near the junction with Brixton Road, London, using his mobile phone.

As Goldsmith started to abuse the man, he responded and the vehicle slowed down as it approached a junction.

Goldsmith then got out and approached the victim, continuing to shout abuse and then punched him in the face twice, causing the injuries.

He then went back to the van as one of the other occupants shouted “we have to go”.

The incident was reported to police and officers from the Lambeth community safety unit began an investigation.

CCTV enquiries identified a vehicle registration number and company logo on the side of the van, and Goldsmith was subsequently identified as one of the occupants by his employer.

Goldsmith attended a voluntary police interview under caution and was charged by postal requisition in July and on the day he was due to stand trial, at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded guilty to the assault.

Goldsmith appeared in the dock last Thursday, September 28, and jailed for six months, but term was suspended for 18 months.

He was also fined £1,000.

DC Phil Boon, of Lambeth police, said: “We are pleased to have secured this sentencing for a needless and unprovoked assault that left the victim injured and frightened.

“It is evidence that the Met will not tolerate homophobic attacks and will work to bring offenders to justice.”