A DRUNKEN man who stamped on his friend's head during an attack was jailed for 18 months yesterday.

Mark King, 26, launched the assault, which he continued even after Stephen Milley lost consciousness.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that on December 7 last year King punched Mr Milley in the face and stomach and then jumped on his head as he lay on the ground. He even propped him up after he slumped to the floor to continue aiming kicks.

Mr Milley was taken to hospital with swelling to his skull, but is not expected to suffer any lasting physical effects.

King, of Coleridge Avenue, Hylton Castle, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Jamie Adams, defending, said: "In drink he saw red and behaved the way he did."

Judge Tim Hewitt said: "You do not deny it, you launched a savage attack upon the person who was apparently your friend.

"It was very fortunate from his point of view that he was not more seriously injured."