A drunken thug launched an attack on two friends after declaring “I’m a street fighter”, a court heard.

Victims Justin Burch and Vilmantas Poskus were on a beach in Sheerness on August 27 when Svajunas Vaidonavicius joined them, arriving with two bottles of wine.

Prosecutor Lauren Sales said they drank throughout the afternoon before going to Mr Burch’s flat.

It was then that Vaidonavicius, 25, announced he was a street fighter and flipped over the coffee table, causing glasses to smash.

He punched Mr Burch in the ribs while he was sitting. He stood up and Vaidonavicius headbutted him up to four times.

Vaidonavicius went into the kitchen and Mr Burch and Mr Poskas followed. He grabbed Mr Burch and headbutted him again.

Mr Poskas tried to stop him but Vaidonavicius turned on him and punched him once to the left eye.

“They were concerned about knives in the kitchen,” Miss Sales told Maidstone Crown Court. “They ran into the living room, closing the kitchen door behind them.”

Mr Poskas told him they were calling the police as he kicked at the door.

Mr Burch suffered a swollen, bruised and tender cheek and his ribs were sore. He temporarily lost his vision in his left eye. Mr Poskas escaped injury.

Vaidonavicius, of Trinity Road, Sheerness, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm to Mr Burch and assaulting Mr Poskus by beating.

He appeared without legal representation and communicated with the court through a Lithuanian interpreter.

Sentencing him to six months imprisonment suspended for 15 months and 150 hours unpaid work, Judge Jeremy Carey told him: “It was a very unpleasant incident for which you are fully responsible.

“You used your head and that is the equivalent of a weapon and can cause very serious injury. You have a steady job and are supporting yourself in this country trying to help your family in Lithuania.”

The judge said although Vaidonavicius worked, he was there to be punished.

“I am not here to make your life easier,” he continued. “You had far too much to drink and got into one of those ridiculous arguments which led to violence.”