A FATHER-of-one has been jailed for 18 months after he kicked a man's head "like a football" during a drink-fuelled brawl.

Ian Graham, 22, attacked Mark Crutchley after the pair were thrown out of the Tall Trees nightclub, Yarm, near Stockton.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Graham, of Lancefield Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, had already been drinking before he got to the club and then consumed a vast amount of alcohol after taking advantage of an "All you can drink" promotion.

James Robinson, prosecuting, said a member of the doorstaff, Mark Dexter, saw Graham punch Mr Crutchley and then kick him three times in the face after he fell to the ground.

It was as if he was kicking a football, said Mr Dexter.

The pair were detained by bouncers before the police arrived and arrested Graham.

Katherine Dunn, for Graham, who admitted wounding with intent on August 18, last year, said the injured party had been involved in an argument with Graham's brother and he had stepped in. His drunkeness was no excuse for his behaviour and he was remorseful for what he had done.

Judge John Walford said: "The word has to go out that drink-fuelled violence which leads to injury must result in a custodial sentence."