A THUG who stamped on a man’s head during an unprovoked attack in a Carlisle city centre pub has been jailed.

Ronan McDonald, 26, who knocked his victim unconscious during the attack, was caught thanks to the intervention of door staff at the Botchergate pub as he attempted to flee from the scene, the city’s crown court heard.

The defendant pleaded guilty to attempting to cause the man grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that the violence erupted on December 3 as the defendant and the victim were on the pub’s dancefloor. Without any provocation, McDonald first punched the man, knocking him to the floor.

He continued the assault, stamping on the man’s head as he lay stunned on the floor, rendering him unconscious.

The victim suffered cuts and a broken tooth. After hearing an outline of the attack, Recorder Mark Ainsworth jailed McDonald, of South Balfern, Kirkinner, near Newton Stewart, for two years.

After the case concluded, Detective Constable Lisa Atkinson, who investigated the attack, case, said: “This was a completely unprovoked assault which could easily have resulted in more serious injuries.

“Acts of violence are unacceptable and Cumbria Police will do everything we can to make sure those who engage in such acts of violence are brought to justice and take steps to deter this behaviour in areas identified as hotspots for violence.

“We would urge people to take a stand against violence and report any such offences to the police immediately so that action can be taken.”

Cumbria Police regard Botchergate as a hotspot for potential violence or disorder, a problem they are addressing as part of Operation Enhance. Launched in July, this involves a series of measures to promote safety and deter antisocial behaviour and serious violence in the area.

Operation Enhance involves extra police patrols, measures made possible thanks to £1 million funding boost secured by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund.

This targets anti-social behaviour and serious violence in disorder hotspots across the county.

High visibility patrols are also targeting those individuals who commit serious violence in these areas, including arson, robbery and violence, including sexual assaults. The aim is to ensure the safety of the communities involved.

* This report is based on a police summary of McDonald's case that was provided by Cumbria Constabulary.