A MAN who ran 100 metres to launch an attack on two strangers was warned by a court yesterday that he could be sent to prison.

Steven Kniveton could remember nothing about the incident, which took place in the early hours of July 4 in the centre of Ripon, North Yorkshire, because he had had so much to drink, his solicitor, David Camidge, told Harrogate magistrates.

But Kniveton, 20, who had admitted causing actual bodily harm to Adrian Kidd, changed his plea to guilty on a charge of assaulting Victoria Elstob after seeing security camera footage of the attack, in North Street.

Prosecutor Simon Ostler said the two victims, neither of whom knew Kniveton, had been leaving a club when he ran towards them shouting abuse.

He punched Ms Elstob, leaving her with a black eye.

When Mr Kidd intervened, he too was punched and cut his head open when he fell, leaving him and Kniveton covered in blood.

Mr Kidd told police the pair had been out with friends when Kniveton struck.

"He came right up to us and Victoria told him to go away. The next thing, he just punched her on the head deliberately. I went to help and was backed up against a wall and knocked to the ground.''

Court chairman David Marlow called for probation reports to be prepared on Kniveton and warned him all sentencing options, including custody, would be considered.