A drunken thug launched an attack on a pub landlord that was so vicious a witness thought he wanted to kill his victim.

Powerfully built Andrew Bell gripped a wall while jumping up and down on Stephen Campbell as he lay helpless on the ground.

When arrested soon afterwards, Bell, 43, had bloodstained boots from repeatedly kicking the victim.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he was already drunk when he went to The Royal George pub in Chatham High Street on September 5, 2013.

He was distinctive because he was tall, of large build, muscular, had tattooed arms and spoke with a Scottish accent, said prosecutor Anthony Prosser.

Bell was served with a beer but landlady Lamaya Tyson asked him to leave because he was abusive.

He did so but returned later and caused more trouble, taking a swing at a customer and hitting Miss Tyson on the right cheek.

Mr Campbell came downstairs and followed Bell outside and told him he was barred and not to return or the police would be called. He turned around to head back to the bar.

“He recalls very little after that until he woke up in hospital,” said Mr Prosser. “Thankfully, the attack was seen by a witness looking out of his kitchen window.”

He saw Bell run up behind the victim and grab his arm and punch him, knocking him to the ground. He then kicked him five or six times in the ribs and head.

The witness went into his living room to call the police. When he returned to the kitchen Bell was still kicking Mr Campbell.

“He grabbed the wall with both hands and started jumping up and down on the landlord who was prostrate on the ground,” Mr Prosser told the jury.

The witness said Bell kicked the victim over a dozen times, adding: “I can honestly say he wanted to kill him. I saw the landlord do nothing at all.”

Police officers arrived to find Mr Campbell lying in a pool of blood. He was taken to Medway Hospital and treated for his injuries. He escaped serious injury. The pub closed last year.

Bell, of Boundary Road, Chatham, denied attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, but was convicted.

He was acquitted of assaulting Miss Tyson.

Sentence was adjourned for reports to a date to be fixed. Bell had been recalled to prison for a previous offence.