A MAN who launched a brutal attack on a man waiting at a bus stop has been jailed for four months.

Blackburn magistrates heard Paul Hargreaves repeatedly punched his 60-year-old victim, knocked him to the ground and jumped on his chest.

And after a bus driver had stopped the attack and was ringing the police, Hargreaves again lunged at his victim, punching him to the floor where he kicked him about the head and face.

Hargreaves, 20, of Dickinson Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault.

Phillipa White, prosecuting, said Mr Drinkwater had been drinking in Blackburn town centre and bumped into Hargreaves, who he knew through friends. Arriving at the bus stop to catch the last bus home, he found Hargreaves already at the stop.

Hargreaves said Mr Drinkwater owed him money and then launched an unprovoked attack.

"He punched the older man repeatedly and as Mr Drinkwater was laid on his back on the floor the defendant was seen to jump on his chest," said Mrs White. "The bus driver intervened allowing Mr Drinkwater to regain his feet but he was again punched to the floor and kicked in the head and face."

Kevin Preston, defending, said his client had sold Mr Drinkwater a Playstation for £100 but had only received £60.

He said his client lost his temper as he had not seen Mr Drinkwater for months.