A teenager who sprayed CS gas in a woman’s face and was at the forefront of a group attack that left a man with serious injuries has been locked up for almost seven years.

The "theme" of Jamie Blissett’s violent offending was said to have centred around Sheerness High Street.

A judge said the 19-year-old labourer, who is to become a father this month, was involved in “drunken violence which is the scourge of the high street”.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Blissett had been drinking heavily when he and others confronted Jordan Knight as he was walking to his car in the early hours of February 13 last year.

The victim was pinned to the ground and kicked and punched.

His jaw was broken and had to be repaired with a plate.

A month later on March 12, Sarah Rush had been out in Sheerness when she and Blissett had a conversation in the High Street.

Prosecutor Matthew Rowcliffe said the teenager’s mood changed when another woman joined them.

He started screaming and shouting at Miss Rush, calling her names.

“She heard a hissing noise and felt pain to her eyes,” said Mr Rowcliffe.

“She couldn’t see for a while. He had sprayed her with CS gas. Her eyes were dry and red.”

The victim was taken to hospital and prescribed eye drops. She had no lasting damage.

Mr Rowcliffe said there was no explanation for the attack.

Blissett still had a CS gas canister on him when police stopped him in relation to another matter on May 29.

"You used a weapon you had no right to be in possession of, spraying it in the face of a young woman with whom you could have had no serious dispute" - Judge Julian Smith

Kieran Brand, defending, said the violence in Sheerness had finally hit home to Blissett and he had moved away from his associates to Thanet where his father and girlfriend lived.

“Since he has relocated he has grown up,” said Mr Brand.

“He will miss the birth of his daughter. It is something he will have to deal with. He wants to be a law-abiding father.”

Blissett, now of Leas Green, Broadstairs, denied causing Mr Knight grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted.

He admitted assaulting Miss Rush, causing actual bodily harm and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Judge Julian Smith described the "inexplicable" spraying of the CS gas as sinister.

“It is violent and totally unpleasant,” he said.

“Fortunately, there was nothing worse than sore eyes and pain. It must have been very frightening.”

He told Blissett: “References speak in terms which are inconsistent with what is so obviously the worst element of your character and behaviour exhibited on the High Street on those occasions.

“What I am presented with is unprovoked violence with significant injury at the vanguard of a group.

“Again late at night, you used a weapon you had no right to be in possession of which you had out with you on a social occasion, spraying it in the face of a young woman with whom you could have had no serious dispute.”

Blissett was sentenced to six years and nine months youth custody - six years for the attack on Mr Knight and nine months consecutive for assaulting Miss Rush.

He was given eight months concurrent for the prohibited weapon.